Soil microbial community, enzyme activity, C and N stocks and soil aggregation as affected by land use and soil depth in a tropical climate region of Brazil.

The impact of agricultural land-use on soil microbial community composition and enzyme activity has not been extensively investigated in Ultisols. We investigated soil health parameters by analyzing phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), extracellular enzyme activity, C and N stocks, and soil structure. Four land uses were established in a tropical climate region of Brazil: native Cerrado (savanna), monoculture pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. Webster 'Marandu'], an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), and maize (Zea mays)-fallow in a no-tillage system. Soil microbial biomass was 40% higher in the native Cerrado than in the monoculture pasture, ICLS, and no-tillage maize. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with microbial community composition (MB; gram-; AC; AMF; Fungi; F: B ratio) and enzyme activity (bG, AP, NAG). Large macroaggregates were positively correlated with bG, AP, and AMF. In summary, the native Cerrado had a higher level of carbon at the soil surface and greater soil structure with increased microbial biomass, gram+ bacteria, AMF, fungi, and F:B ratio in a tropical region of Brazil. However, bG and AP enzyme activities were lower in the ICLS and no-till maize at the soil surface (0-5 cm) compared to the native Cerrado. The conversion of native Cerrado to agricultural systems shifted the soil microbial community composition, enzyme activity, C and N, and soil structure of this sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Genotypic variation in growth and lead accumulation among Brassica juncea accessions.

Selecting (inter-varietal) Brassica juncea for tolerance to metal-contamination has been proposed as a strategy to develop superior genotypes for phytoextraction of lead (Pb) through selection and breeding techniques. To understand the differences among accessions of a single species to Pb accumulation, a pot experiment was conducted with three B. juncea accessions under levels of Pb added to the soil (0, 90, 180, and 540 mg kg-1). The duration of the growth period was 100 d. Pb concentration levels did not affect the flowering of B. juncea accessions. Plant height, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter were reduced linearly when soil Pb concentration increased to 540 mg kg-1. A significant interaction between Pb concentration levels and accessions was observed for Pb concentration in shoots and roots, indicating genotypic variation in Pb absorption. The concentration of Pb in shoots in accession PI 180266 was 51% higher compared to accessions PI 649105 and PI 432379 when soil Pb concentration increased to 540 mg kg-1. It can be concluded that the B. juncea accessions differed significantly in Pb uptake, and the selection of tolerant cultivars might be helpful for Pb phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

Growth and accumulation of Pb by roots and shoots of Brassica juncea L.

In this study, different soil Pb concentrations [24 (control), 80, 136, 362, and 1150 mg kg-1] were used to analyze the tolerance threshold and accumulation potential of Brassica juncea L. in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. In addition to growth and Pb accumulation, the following contamination indices were calculated: transfer coefficient (TC), translocation factor (TF), and tolerance index (TI). Growth and Pb accumulation were determined at 60 days after emergence. The Pb concentrations were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The plant height was affected by soil Pb contamination, and it decreased from 1.37 to 0.83 m when the soil Pb concentration increased from 24 (control) to 1150 mg kg-1, respectively. The Pb concentration in the shoots and roots increased as the Pb concentration in the soil increased, reaching 94 mg kg-1 in shoots and 783 mg kg-1 in roots when was grown under 1150 mg kg-1 of Pb. TF was <1 at all levels of contamination. The TI values suggested that B. juncea presented Pb tolerance in Pb contaminated soils. Our findings indicate that B. juncea has the potential to accumulate Pb in soil under tropical conditions.

Cover crops and straw management on yield components of crambe / Culturas de cobertura e manejo da palhada sobre os componentes de produção de crambe

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dry matter (DM) yield and nutrient accumulation in cover crops and the effect of these, as well as mechanical management of crop residues on growth and grain yield of crambe (Crambe abyssinica). The experiment was conducted in Santa Helena, Paraná, Brazil in Rhodic Hapludox (Red Latosol in the Brazilian classification) in experimental design of randomized complete blocks with four replications in a split-plot. The plots were: Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), grass brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and an area fallow (spontaneous weed) and the sub-plots, the mechanical or not management of crop residues on the soil surface (Triton©). Grass brachiaria produced less amount of DM and showed less accumulation of nutrients. Other cover crops did not differ in DM production, but the sunn hemp showed the highest concentrations of N and Ca, while pearl millet P. The mechanical management of crop residues on the soil surface not influence the yield components of crambe, however provides higher final plant density. The crambe grown after sunn hemp showed higher DM accumulation (1,826 kg ha­1) and grain yield (1,066 kg ha­1).

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a produção de matéria seca (MS) e o acúmulo de nutrientes por culturas de cobertura e o efeito destas, bem como do manejo mecânico da palhada nos componentes da produção e produtividade de grãos de crambe. O experimento foi conduzido em Santa Helena, Paraná, Brasil, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições em parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram: milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown), braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), sorgo forrageiro (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), crotalária (Crotalaria juncea L.) e uma área em pousio (vegetação espontânea), e as subparcelas, pela ausência e presença do manejo mecânico de palhada (Triton©). A braquiária produz menor quantidade de MS e apresenta menor acúmulo de nutrientes. As demais culturas não diferem entre si na produção de MS, contudo a crotalária apresenta os maiores acúmulos de N e Ca, enquanto que o milheto maior acúmulo de P. O manejo mecânico da palhada não influencia os componentes de produção do crambe, porém proporciona maior densidade final de plantas. O crambe cultivado em sucessão a crotalária apresenta maior acúmulo de MS (1.826 kg ha­1) e produtividade de grãos (1.066 kg ha­1).