Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Giovana_Posdefesa 01_10_corrigido.pdf: 983760 bytes, checksum: 074cf78bd206957da41bcdea59101dc5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-09-03 / The fertility and microbial activity in soil have been often used to indicate changes in soil quality. The microbial activity directly interacts with environmental conditions, soil types and different agricultural production systems used. Despite advances in this area, it is still a great challenge to define good indicators of soil quality, their interactions and behavior over time. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the current state of soils under pastures in the western region of São Paulo using the evaluation and correlation of the microbial attributes and soil fertility. We performed on 108 soil samples, collected in settled pastures, analysis of thirteen variables in a laboratory within the microbial attributes, fertility and soil texture. The findings of the evaluation of the microbial demonstrated that microbial biomass had the lowest coefficient of variation, normal distribution of frequency and significantly correlated with most variables analyzed, on the other side, within the attributes of fertility of the soil, pH had the lowest rate variation while the phosphorus content demonstrated large variations with disproportionately high frequency among other variables, indicating the current status of soil degradation. The soil microbial biomass can be considered a good indicator for microbiological evaluation in these soils. The principal component analysis demonstrated that 51% of the variation was concentrated in the axis 1 and 2, which is considered representative for multivariate environmental assessment / A fertilidade e a atividade microbiana em solo têm sido utilizadas com frequencia para indicar mudanças na qualidade do solo. A atividade microbiana interage diretamente com as condições ambientais, classes de solo e diferentes sistemas de produção agrícola utilizados. Apesar dos avanços nesta área ainda é um grande desafio a definição de bons indicadores de qualidade do solo, suas interações e comportamento ao longo do tempo. Desta forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o estado atual de solos sob pastagens na região oeste paulista utilizando-se da avaliação e correlação de atributos microbiológicos e de fertilidade do solo. Foram realizadas em 108 amostras de solos, coletadas em áreas de pastagens estabelecidas, análises de treze variáveis em laboratório, dentro dos atributos microbiológicos, de fertilidade e granulométrico do solo. Os resultados encontrados na avaliação dos atributos microbiológicos demonstraram que a biomassa microbiana apresentou o menor coeficiente de variação, distribuição normal de freqüência e correlação significativa com a maioria das variáveis analisadas, por outro lado dentro dos atributos de fertilidade do solo o pH apresentou o menor coeficiente de variação enquanto que o teor fósforo apresentou grande variação com freqüência desproporcional indicando junto com outras variáveis o estado atual de degradação do solo. A biomassa microbiana do solo pode ser considerada como bom indicador para avaliação microbiológica nestes solos. A análise de componentes principais apresentou que 51% da variação concentrou-se dentro do eixo 1 e 2 o que é considerado representativa para avaliação ambiental multivariada

The aim of this diploma thesis was to determine the dehydrogenase activity of matrix samples that can enter the environment and the use of ecotoxicological tests to assess the quality of the affected soil. The effects of sludge, biochar samples, two landfill samples and a sediment sample were monitored. Ecotoxicology included tests on decomposers - tests of avoidance behavior (Eisenia fetida and Folsomia candida), acute, chronic and reproductive toxicity tests (Eisenia fetida) and Lactuca sativa root growth inhibition tests. The results indicate that dehydrogenase activity assays serve as a suitable complement to ecotoxicological tests. They provide valuable additional information on soil quality and sample effect after application to soil. The sediment sample had the least favorable effect on the activity of the enzyme and the vitality of the organisms, both in the determination of dehydrogenase activity and in ecotoxicological tests. Furthermore, it was found that biochar as a product of sewage sludge treatment is less toxic to organisms than the original sludge.

Orientador: Carolina dos Santos Batista Bonini / Resumo: Os solos sob um manejo inadequado, têm suas qualidades físicas, químicas e biológicas afetadas negativamente, dando origem a sua degradação. No estado de São Paulo, grande parte das pastagens estão degradadas e/ou em degradação. Entender como um funciona um solo degradado e sua resiliência e iniciar seu processo de restauração, são fundamentais para desenvolver técnicas de manejo adequado do solo. Inúmeras técnicas estão sendo utilizadas para recuperação de solo degradado, descobrir e detalhar os índices físicos do solo ajuda em como proceder, e com qual técnica de recuperação utilizar; visando isso, este projeto teve por objetivo desenvolver um programa interativo (analisar e classificar) com a utilização das redes neurais artificiais (RNA) para estimar os níveis de recuperação do solo (recuperado (R), parcialmente recuperado (PR) e não recuperado (NR) em função dos atributos físicos e comparar com os dados obtidos via estatística convencional. O experimento foi realizado na Agência Paulista de Tecnologias dos Agronegócios – APTA do Extremo Oeste, no município de Andradina/SP no período de 2015 a 2017, em solo classificado como Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo cultivado com pastagem de Urochloa, com diferentes formas de introdução de Estilosantes cv. Campo Grande (Stylosanthes capitata e S. macrocephala). Os atributos do solo estudados foram: densidade do solo, porosidade do solo (macroporosidade e microporosidade), resistência mecânica a penetração, infiltração de água no solo e ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Soils under inadequate management have their physical, chemical and biological qualities negatively affected, giving rise to their degradation. In the state of São Paulo, most of the pastures are degraded and / or in degradation. Understanding how a degraded soil and its resilience works and starting its restoration process are essential to develop proper soil management techniques. Countless techniques are being used to recover degraded soil, discovering and detailing the physical indexes of the soil helps in how to proceed, and with which recovery technique to use; with this in mind, this project has developed an interactive program (analyze and classify) using artificial neural networks (ANN) to estimate soil recovery levels (recovered (R), partially recovered (PR) and not recovered ( NR) as a function of physical attributes and compare with data obtained using conventional statistics.The experiment was carried out at the São Paulo Agribusiness Technologies Agency - APTA in the Far West, in the city of Andradina / SP from 2015 to 2017, on classified soil as Red Yellow Argisol cultivated on Urochloa decumbens pasture in recovery since 2012, with different ways of introducing Estiloantes cv. Campo Grande (Stylosanthes capitata and S. macrocephala). The studied soil attributes are: soil density, soil porosity (macroporosity and microporosity), mechanical resistance to penetration, water infiltration in the soil and weighted average diameter, in soil layers: 0-10; 0.10-0.20 an... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Hurricanes Irma and Maria have recently demonstrated once again the susceptibility of contemporary populations across the Caribbean to climate-driven events. For islands such as Antigua in the eastern Caribbean, this vulnerability is partly a legacy of prior land use. As such, the actions of pre-Contact and historic period inhabitants are intertwined with contemporary socio-ecological challenges faced by Antiguans today. This research sought to understand the relationship between land use and land degradation from ca. AD 100 to the present in eastern Antigua utilizing two markers of anthropic activity: soil stability and soil quality. Specifically, this research sought to examine how past anthropogenic actions have shaped landscape dynamics across two regions (Ayer’s Creek Basin and Indian Creek Basin), where archaeological research has revealed a long-term, continuous sequence of occupation dating back 2,000 years. Prior research suggests that contemporary environmental challenges in both regions may be linked to prior land management practices. However, it is unknown to what extent historical land use and its interactions with local geomorphology account for these challenges. The main research question was: In what ways and to what extent has past land use (as recorded archaeologically) impacted the landscape (as recorded by soil stability and soil quality) in the Ayer’s Creek and Indian Creek Basins in eastern Antigua? This research determined that contemporary soil erosion and soil quality loss may be attributed to historic land management practices, but mitigating these challenges is impeded by local perceptions of soil health.

MSCAGR (Soil Science) / Department of Soil Science / Accelerated soil erosion is a serious agricultural problem in South Africa limiting soil productivity and little it’s known about its effect on soil quality. This study aimed to provide a less laborious, less time consuming and inexpensive protocol of estimating the effects of accelerated erosion on the soil quality. An assessment was undertaken in sites showing threat of accelerated erosion using various direct physical soil quality indicators. Four sites with different soil types were identified at initial survey. In each of the sites, two areas were selected. These areas were then classified as Not Visibly Eroded (NVE) and Visibly Eroded (VE). Each measurement in all site was done in those area classified respectively. The most stable structure and consistency were observed in NVE areas. Medium and large stones were observed in VE areas in all soil types studied. The VE soils were lighter in colour compared to soil colour in NVE. Aggregate stability and moisture content were significantly higher for the NVE and VE areas. Difference in values of water stable aggregates between NVE and VE was clear which showed that stability of aggregates is important in determining soil susceptible to erosion. Bulk density values were slightly different for the two areas. However, there was no significant difference between the bulk density of NVE and VE. Differences between soil texture for NVE and VE areas are only apparent for the sand, clay and silt particles with no changes in textural class. For all soil types investigated, silt was vulnerable to accelerated erosion with respect to soil texture. The research has provided baseline protocol for using physical soil quality indicators to find out effects of accelerated erosion. Soil functionality is critical in the restoration process of soil quality, and the methods used here could be effectively applied in a broad range assessment of erosion impact. / NRF

Fruit growers in Utah and other areas across the Intermountain West are faced with growing production challenges stemming from declining soil quality and water resources. Population growth presents challenges in terms of the cost and availability of land, but also presents opportunities in the form of new marketing options such as organic fruit. Few certified organic fruit orchards are operating in Utah currently, which is attributed to a lack of locally tested and adapted organic management practices. An organic peach orchard trial evaluated the effectiveness of different organic management approaches to enhance soil quality and conserve water without compromise to fruit tree growth and fertility. Two tree-row treatments: ‘straw mulch' (Triticum aestivum L.) and ‘living mulch’ (Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.) were tested in combination with two alleyway groundcovers: ‘grass’ (Festuca rubra L. with Lolium perenne L.) and a legume, ‘Birdsfoot trefoil’ (Lotus corniculatus L.). The novel systems were compared with industry standards, tillage and weed fabric tree-rows with grass alleyways. Trefoil alleyway biomass deposited into tree-rows contributed an estimated 6.24 kg biomass and 0.21 kg total N/tree annually. Trefoil treatments had higher levels of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), inorganic N, microbial biomass and enzyme activities, suggesting trefoil alleyways enhanced soil nutrient cycling, as well as C and N reserves in comparison to grass and tillage treatments. A functional gene array analysis was conducted to describe the mechanisms, microbial functional composition and diversity underlying the observed soil processes, however few differences were detected in soil community structure between soils under different orchard floor management. Significantly lower leaf δ15N in trees grown with trefoil compared to grass, and an association between root biomass, diameter and trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) suggests nitrogen sources derived from the trefoil groundcover contributed to improved fruit tree vigor. Few differences resulted among orchard treatments for water use (mm/week). Trends indicated slightly higher water use in trefoil over grass, but not enough to offset observed soil quality and tree growth benefits. These findings suggest, trefoil alleyways may provide ecological benefits such as improved soil quality and efficient nutrient cycling, without substantial increases in water use.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The majority of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa are predominantly poor and depend largely on small-scale subsistence farming. To date, various farming mechanisms (e.g. organic farming, crop rotation, agroforestry and inter-cropping) have been introduced to improve food security and to avert hunger; however, water scarcity remains a challenge. The sub-Saharan African region is currently regarded as water stressed and this has had a significant impact on rural livelihoods. Despite being considered as a water-scarce region, the demand for water for agricultural purposes continues to increase exponentially, while, on the other hand, its supply keeps on diminishing, particularly for agricultural production.

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