Laboratory tests were conducted to determine Cu availability of three Virginia soils amended with Cu as either Cu-rich pig manure or CuSO₄ with the same Cu content as that in manure. The study also assessed the capability of Mehlich-3 to estimate deficient and toxic Cu levels in soil. Application of Cu as manure or CuSO₄ did not affect grain yield or grain Cu concentration in corn grown at each site. Young corn plant height was reduced by CuSO₄ application on the Bertie sandy loam, an indication of greater toxicity from inorganic than organic Cu. Very little exchangeable or solution Cu was present in any of the three soils. The vast majority of Cu was distributed between the organic and soil oxide fractions. The ratio of soil oxide to organic matter determines the relative distribution of Cu among these fractions. Most organically bound Cu was held by specific adsorption mechanisms and Mehlich-3 strongly extracts this fraction. Mehlich-3 extraction patterns were indicative of Cu binding strength in the different soils. Since Mehlich-3 strongly extracts specifically bound Cu and only poorly removes oxide Cu, this test may underestimate Cu availability on sandy soils with low organic matter content. However, Mehlich-3 provides an acceptable test for soil Cu. Soil sorption characteristics were studied for Cu, Pb, and Zn added, both alone and simultaneously. Copper sorption energy was higher than both Pb or Zn, however, sorption capacity followed the order Pb > Zn > Cu. High Pb and Zn sorption was in part due to precipitation reactions especially at high initial solution concentrations. Zinc was bound to soil mostly by weak electrostatic forces. Copper and Pb were bound at specific sorption sites and by complex multi-site bonding mechanisms possibly involving organic substances. These specific and multi-site mechanisms account for metal ions removed from solution at low concentration. Even at low metal concentration, Cu and Pb sorption results in concurrent release of H⁺ and Ca²⁺ at a greater than one to one charge basis. Soils adjusted to various pH levels were equilibrated with Cu solution and then extracted with a series of dilute acid extractions to determine Cu adsorption and fixation capacities. Copper adsorption and more importantly Cu fixation increased with an increase in soil pH. Soil with a high organic matter content as a result of manure applications adsorbed and fixed more Cu at all pH levels than the control and CuSO₄ soil. The presence of organic matter may have a greater effect on metal sorption characteristics than maintenance of pH ≥ 6.5. Heavy metal sorption was accompanied by concurrent release of H⁺ and Ca²⁺ which represents exchangeable and specifically bound cation nutrients. Soils which receive heavy metal applications from sewage sludge or animal manure would have a short-term increase in plant available nutrients at the expense of long-term reserve capacity. Soil tests for cation nutrient availability on soils receiving heavy metal applications should be adopted to account for these responses. / Ph. D.

Uma alternativa de manejo das doenças de citros causadas por Phytophthora spp. é o uso de matéria orgânica. Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da incorporação de lodo de esgoto ao solo na indução de supressividade a Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan (1896) em plântulas de limão cravo (Citrus lemonia (L.) Osbeck), foram realizados diversos experimentos em laboratório, casa de vegetação e campo. O aumento nas doses de lodo de esgoto, nos experimentos em laboratório, em casa de vegetação e em campo, resultou na redução do pH e aumento da condutividade elétrica do solo; aumento da atividade microbiana do solo (avaliada pela hidrólise de diacetato de fluoresceina - FDA e pela respiração microbiana); além de uma redução na recuperação de P. nicotianae, tanto do substrato e do solo como das raízes de plântulas e mudas. Em alguns experimentos, a recuperação do patógeno correlacionou-se significativa e negativamente com a atividade microbiana do solo(FDA) e com a condutividade elétrica. Um melhor desenvolvimento de plântulas e mudas foi observado com a incorporação de lodo até 20%. Esses resultados indicam um efeito supressivo do lodo de esgoto a P. nicotianae, nas condições avaliadas, explicado por fatores químicos e biológicos. Dentre os fatores químicos destacam-se o aumento da condutividade elétrica e a inibição do crescimento das colônias do patógeno em meio de cultura com extratos ácidos de lodo. Os fatores biológicos envolveram o aumento da atividade microbiana do solo e a presença de fungos (Aspergillus sp. e Trichoderma sp.) e actinomicetos antagonistas a P. nicotianae. / Soil organic matter amendments may provide an alternative for the management of citrus soil diseases caused by Phytophthora spp. The effects of incorporating residential sewage sludge into the soil in order to induce suppressiviness to Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan (1896) in seedlings and plantlets of rangpuor lime (Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck) were evaluated. For this, several experiments under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions were conducted. In almost all experiments, while sewage sludge doses enlarged, soil pH values decreased and soil electrical conductivity increased; soil microbial activity (evaluated by the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis - FDA and microbial respiration) increased, and P. nicotianae recovery from soil and roots tended to decreased. In some experiments, significantly and negative correlations were observed between P. nicotianae recuperation and microbial activity (FDA), and between P. nicotianae recuperation and soil electrical conductivity. Seedlings and plantlets development improved at a maximum of 20% v/v sewage sludge soil incorporation. These results suggest a sewage sludge suppressive effect on P. nicotianae, explained by chemical and biological factors, under the experimental conditions of the tests performed. Among chemical factors, the increase of the soil electrical conductivity and colony growth inhibition of P. nicotianae on culture media amended with an acid sewage sludge extract, were indicated. The biological factors involved in suppressiviness were the increase of soil microbial activity and the presence of fungi (Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp.) and actinomyces antagonistic to P. nicotianae.

O conhecimento detalhado da distribuição espacial dos solos e principalmente seus atributos torna-se essencial com a implantação da Agricultura de Precisão. Neste sentido, há a demanda por um grande número de análises químicas de solos. Porém, o custo destas análises é elevado, sendo um dos principais entraves para a avaliação da variabilidade espacial dos solos, tanto na área de manejo químico como em levantamentos pedológicos. Logo, o sensoriamento remoto surge como uma técnica alternativa e eficaz na obtenção de informações sobre a variabilidade espacial dos solos e de seus atributos químicos, físicos e mineralógicos nos diferentes tipos de aquisição de dados, mostrando-se promissor não só pela sua rapidez, mas também por ser uma técnica não destrutiva das amostras e livre de qualquer reagente químico. Desta forma, este trabalho tem por objetivos avaliar através de métodos convencionais de análise de terra e de sensoriamento remoto, as variações químicas ocorrentes em dois tipos de solos cultivados com milho, pela aplicação de corretivos com diferentes graus de reatividade. Além disso, este trabalho visa identificar bandas espectrais relacionadas com as mudanças químicas ocorridas no solo devido à aplicação de calcário, assim como calibrar e avaliar modelos de estimativa de atributos do solo, além de quantificar os valores de corretivos necessários numa amostra de terra. Para tal, dados químicos foram obtidos em laboratório através de métodos já consagrados e permitiram avaliar três calcários com diferentes reatividades. Já os dados radiométricos foram obtidos através do sensor FieldSpec Pro em laboratório na faixa de 350 2500 nm, para amostras de solos coletadas durante quatro ciclos de cultivo do milho. Os dados obtidos através da espectrorradiometria permitiram identificar possíveis bandas relacionadas com alguns atributos químicos dos solos; determinar os teores de atributos químicos dos solos a partir da metodologia utilizada; obter modelos de estimativa específicos para cada atributo químico dos dois solos estudados, assim como estimar a necessidade de calagem destes através de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto, havendo a possibilidade de redução das numerosas e demoradas análises químicas tradicionais, contribuindo desta forma para viabilização da prática da agricultura de precisão. / The detailed knowledge of spatial distribution of soils and mainly its attributes became essential with the Precision Agriculture implementation. Therefore, there is the demand for a high number of soil chemical analyses. However, these analyses cost is high, being one of the main impediments to evaluate the soil spatial variability, as in chemical management as in pedologycal surveys. However, the remote sensing rises as an alternative and efficient technique to obtain information about the soil spatial variability and its chemical, physical and mineralogical attributes in different kinds of data acquisition. Showing itself promising not just by its speed, but also because it is a non-destructive technique for the samples and do not uses any chemical reagents. In this way, the objectives of this work are to evaluate through conventional methods of soil analyses and remote sensing, the chemical modifications occurred in two soils cultivated with corn, by the lime application with products of different reaction degrees. Besides, this work seeks to identify spectral bands related to the chemical changes occurred in soil due to the lime application, as to calibrate and to evaluate the soil attributes estimation models, beyond to quantify the lime rate needed in a soil sample. For that, chemical data were obtained in lab through methods already consecrated and allowed to evaluate three lime products with different degrees of reaction. The radiometric data were obtained with the FieldSpec Pro sensor in lab in the range of 350 2500 nm, for soil samples collected during four corn cycles. The data obtained by spectroradiometry allowed to identify possible bands related with some soil chemical attributes; to determine the content of chemical attributes from the used methodology; to obtain specific estimative models for each chemical attribute of both studied soils, as to estimate the need of lime application using remote sensing techniques, with the possibility to reduce the amount of conventional chemical analyses, beyond to contribute to development of the practice of precision agriculture.

O conhecimento detalhado da distribuição espacial dos solos e principalmente seus atributos torna-se essencial com a implantação da Agricultura de Precisão. Neste sentido, há a demanda por um grande número de análises químicas de solos. Porém, o custo destas análises é elevado, sendo um dos principais entraves para a avaliação da variabilidade espacial dos solos, tanto na área de manejo químico como em levantamentos pedológicos. Logo, o sensoriamento remoto surge como uma técnica alternativa e eficaz na obtenção de informações sobre a variabilidade espacial dos solos e de seus atributos químicos, físicos e mineralógicos nos diferentes tipos de aquisição de dados, mostrando-se promissor não só pela sua rapidez, mas também por ser uma técnica não destrutiva das amostras e livre de qualquer reagente químico. Desta forma, este trabalho tem por objetivos avaliar através de métodos convencionais de análise de terra e de sensoriamento remoto, as variações químicas ocorrentes em dois tipos de solos cultivados com milho, pela aplicação de corretivos com diferentes graus de reatividade. Além disso, este trabalho visa identificar bandas espectrais relacionadas com as mudanças químicas ocorridas no solo devido à aplicação de calcário, assim como calibrar e avaliar modelos de estimativa de atributos do solo, além de quantificar os valores de corretivos necessários numa amostra de terra. Para tal, dados químicos foram obtidos em laboratório através de métodos já consagrados e permitiram avaliar três calcários com diferentes reatividades. Já os dados radiométricos foram obtidos através do sensor FieldSpec Pro em laboratório na faixa de 350 2500 nm, para amostras de solos coletadas durante quatro ciclos de cultivo do milho. Os dados obtidos através da espectrorradiometria permitiram identificar possíveis bandas relacionadas com alguns atributos químicos dos solos; determinar os teores de atributos químicos dos solos a partir da metodologia utilizada; obter modelos de estimativa específicos para cada atributo químico dos dois solos estudados, assim como estimar a necessidade de calagem destes através de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto, havendo a possibilidade de redução das numerosas e demoradas análises químicas tradicionais, contribuindo desta forma para viabilização da prática da agricultura de precisão. / The detailed knowledge of spatial distribution of soils and mainly its attributes became essential with the Precision Agriculture implementation. Therefore, there is the demand for a high number of soil chemical analyses. However, these analyses cost is high, being one of the main impediments to evaluate the soil spatial variability, as in chemical management as in pedologycal surveys. However, the remote sensing rises as an alternative and efficient technique to obtain information about the soil spatial variability and its chemical, physical and mineralogical attributes in different kinds of data acquisition. Showing itself promising not just by its speed, but also because it is a non-destructive technique for the samples and do not uses any chemical reagents. In this way, the objectives of this work are to evaluate through conventional methods of soil analyses and remote sensing, the chemical modifications occurred in two soils cultivated with corn, by the lime application with products of different reaction degrees. Besides, this work seeks to identify spectral bands related to the chemical changes occurred in soil due to the lime application, as to calibrate and to evaluate the soil attributes estimation models, beyond to quantify the lime rate needed in a soil sample. For that, chemical data were obtained in lab through methods already consecrated and allowed to evaluate three lime products with different degrees of reaction. The radiometric data were obtained with the FieldSpec Pro sensor in lab in the range of 350 2500 nm, for soil samples collected during four corn cycles. The data obtained by spectroradiometry allowed to identify possible bands related with some soil chemical attributes; to determine the content of chemical attributes from the used methodology; to obtain specific estimative models for each chemical attribute of both studied soils, as to estimate the need of lime application using remote sensing techniques, with the possibility to reduce the amount of conventional chemical analyses, beyond to contribute to development of the practice of precision agriculture.

The boreal forest area around Flin Flon, MB, and Creighton, SK, has been the site of a metal mining and smelting complex since the 1930s. Smelter emissions, coupled with forest logging, forest fires, and subsequent soil erosion, have led to severe vegetation dieback and the development of soils containing a mixture of metals in varying concentrations. In affected areas, existing vegetation typically is stunted. Limestone applications to affected soils have served to increase pH and, in some instances, the vegetation has responded positively; however, in some areas limestone application has failed to restore vegetation, leading to an interest in examining the suitability of other soil amendments to affect revegetation in these areas. Typically revegetation programs focus on aboveground vegetation responses; however, healthy plant growth often is dependent on the presence of an equally healthy soil microbial community. Thus, this study attempted to link revegetation success with responses of the soil microbial community structure to various soil amendments. Two studies were conducted to determine the influence of soil amendments (biochar, municipal and manure compost, glauconite, and an arbuscular mycorrhizal/ectomycorrhizal inoculant) on plant growth and microbial community structure in two soils from the Flin Flon area, classified as containing high and low metal concentrations. The two studies evaluated the growth of boreal forest understory species American vetch (Vicia americana) and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) and overstory species jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) after addition of soil amendments, and the subsequent effects on microbial community structure. Greenhouse experiments evaluated plant growth for a period of 8 weeks (understory species) or 19 weeks (overstory species), after which plants were analyzed for changes in biomass and metal accumulation in plant tissue. Soils were analyzed for available metal concentrations, as well as microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and phospholipid fatty acid concentration, which is a measure of microbial community structure. Significant effects were seen on plant growth and microbial community structure due to the metal concentrations in the soil, but no one amendment consistently impacted plant growth or metal uptake, or any measured microbial parameter. The results of this study indicate the variability of plant growth and microbial functioning in soils from the study site, as well as the inherent challenges associated with revegetating heavy metal affected soils, and underline the need for further research on plant growth and microbial community structure at this site.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-03-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:21:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 soratto_rp_dr_botfca.pdf: 792481 bytes, checksum: 32d9518363b0fae5fab589ed74ffbe8c (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Existe interesse na busca de alternativas para a implantação do sistema de plantio direto em áreas anteriormente cultivadas no sistema convencional de preparo do solo ou sob pastagens, sem a incorporação prévia do calcário, realizando-se a calagem superficialmente desde o estabelecimento do sistema, desde que não haja impedimento físico ao crescimento radicular. Nesse sentido, o gesso agrícola, por ser mais solúvel e apresentar relativa mobilidade no solo, é apontado como alternativa para correção das camadas subsuperficiais do solo em curto prazo, podendo ser utilizado como um produto complementar ao calcário. Dessa forma, o trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da aplicação superficial de calcário e gesso, na implantação do sistema de plantio direto, sobre as características químicas do solo, o teor de cátions solúveis na parte aérea das culturas, o crescimento radicular, a nutrição e produtividade de culturas anuais, em região de inverno seco. O experimento foi conduzido nos anos agrícolas de 2002/2003 e 2003/2004, na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, localizada no município de Botucatu (SP), em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, anteriormente conduzido no sistema convencional de preparo do solo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por quatro doses de calcário dolomítico (0, 1.100, 2.700 e 4.300 kg ha-1), com PRNT = 71,2%, visando elevar a saturação por bases para 50%, 70% e 90%, respectivamente. As subparcelas foram constituídas pela ausência e aplicação de 2.100 kg ha-1 de gesso agrícola (6 x teor de argila em g kg-1, na camada de 0,20-0,40 m de profundidade). Para as culturas de verão foi utilizado o esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, sendo as subsubparcelas constituídas por dois cultivares de arroz de terras altas... / There is great interest to search alternatives to establish the no-tillage system in fields previously cultivated on conventional tillage or on pasture, with no lime previous incorporation, using superficial liming since the beginning of system, if don't have physical impediment to root growth. Thus, the phosphogypsum, that is more soluble and with high mobility, has been an alternative to correct the subsuperficial soil layer, in a short time, and can be used as a lime complementary product. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of lime and phosphogypsum surface application during the establishment of no-tillage system, on the soil chemical characteristics, on the content of water-soluble cations, in the crop shoot, on the root growth, on the nutrition and yield of annual crops, in a dry winter region. The experiment was carried out during the agricultural years of 2002/03 and 2003/2004, in an experimental area located in Botucatu County, São Paulo State, Brazil (48º 23' W and 22º 1' S) on a Haplorthox, before used with conventional tillage system. A randomized complete block design, in split-plot scheme, and four replications was used. The plots were composed by four dolomite limestone levels (0; 1,100; 2,700; and 4,300 kg ha-1), with Neutralization Power = 84.3% and Reactivity = 84.5%, aiming raise the base saturation to 50%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. The subplots were composed by without and with phosphogypsum application (2,100 kg ha-1 = 6 x clay content (g kg-1) in 0.20-0.40 m depth layer). For the summer crops a split-split-plot scheme were used. The subsubplots were constituted by two upland rice cultivars ('Caiapó' and 'IAC 202'), on agricultural year of 2002/03, and two common bean cultivars ('Carioca' and 'Pérola'), on agricultural year of 2003/2004. In the winter season of 2003 and 2004, the black oat was grown in the area... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Uma alternativa de manejo das doenças de citros causadas por Phytophthora spp. é o uso de matéria orgânica. Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da incorporação de lodo de esgoto ao solo na indução de supressividade a Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan (1896) em plântulas de limão cravo (Citrus lemonia (L.) Osbeck), foram realizados diversos experimentos em laboratório, casa de vegetação e campo. O aumento nas doses de lodo de esgoto, nos experimentos em laboratório, em casa de vegetação e em campo, resultou na redução do pH e aumento da condutividade elétrica do solo; aumento da atividade microbiana do solo (avaliada pela hidrólise de diacetato de fluoresceina – FDA e pela respiração microbiana); além de uma redução na recuperação de P. nicotianae, tanto do substrato e do solo como das raízes de plântulas e mudas. Em alguns experimentos, a recuperação do patógeno correlacionou-se significativa e negativamente com a atividade microbiana do solo(FDA) e com a condutividade elétrica. Um melhor desenvolvimento de plântulas e mudas foi observado com a incorporação de lodo até 20%. Esses resultados indicam um efeito supressivo do lodo de esgoto a P. nicotianae, nas condições avaliadas, explicado por fatores químicos e biológicos. Dentre os fatores químicos destacam-se o aumento da condutividade elétrica e a inibição do crescimento das colônias do patógeno em meio de cultura com extratos ácidos de lodo. Os fatores biológicos envolveram o aumento da atividade microbiana do solo e a presença de fungos (Aspergillus sp. e Trichoderma sp.) e actinomicetos antagonistas a P. nicotianae. / Soil organic matter amendments may provide an alternative for the management of citrus soil diseases caused by Phytophthora spp. The effects of incorporating residential sewage sludge into the soil in order to induce suppressiviness to Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan (1896) in seedlings and plantlets of rangpuor lime (Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck) were evaluated. For this, several experiments under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions were conducted. In almost all experiments, while sewage sludge doses enlarged, soil pH values decreased and soil electrical conductivity increased; soil microbial activity (evaluated by the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis – FDA and microbial respiration) increased, and P. nicotianae recovery from soil and roots tended to decreased. In some experiments, significantly and negative correlations were observed between P. nicotianae recuperation and microbial activity (FDA), and between P. nicotianae recuperation and soil electrical conductivity. Seedlings and plantlets development improved at a maximum of 20% v/v sewage sludge soil incorporation. These results suggest a sewage sludge suppressive effect on P. nicotianae, explained by chemical and biological factors, under the experimental conditions of the tests performed. Among chemical factors, the increase of the soil electrical conductivity and colony growth inhibition of P. nicotianae on culture media amended with an acid sewage sludge extract, were indicated. The biological factors involved in suppressiviness were the increase of soil microbial activity and the presence of fungi (Aspergillus sp. and Trichoderma sp.) and actinomyces antagonistic to P. nicotianae.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Agric) Horticultural Science)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

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