Bacterial strains decrease solubility of potassium in the soil / Estirpes bacterianas reduzem potencial de solubilização de potássio no solo

This study aimed to verify whether inoculation with strains of diazotrophic bacteria, with proven ability to solubilize potassium (K) in vitro, contributes towards the release of K in the soil after fertilization with phonolite rock powder. The experiment was conducted in containers with 0.3 dm-3 of soil containing low potassium content. Fifteen treatments were used, namely, 12 inoculated with the bacterial strains, a control treatment (without phonolite and without inoculation), one containing phonolite without inoculation and one containing KCl, soluble fertilizer, without inoculation. In treatments with phonolite and KCl, the doses of these materials were applied to provide the soil with 195 mg dm-3 of K. A completely randomized design with four replications was used. The soil was incubated during 90 days at room temperature and humidity at about 70% retention capacity. After this period, the content of K+ (Mehlich and resin), pH value and potential acidity (H+Al) were evaluated. Phonolite, associated with inoculation with most bacterial strains, increased the availability of potassium in the soil, pH rate and reduced potential acidity. Among the strains tested, UNIFENAS 100-01, UNIFENAS 100-16, UNIFENAS 100-27, UNIFENAS 100-39 and UNIFENAS 100-93 were the most efficient for the solubilization of K+ of the phonolite. In spite of the observed results, K content released by the bacterial strains in the soil decreased when compared to in vitroconditions, thus justifying the need for studies on bio-solubilization of soil to select the most efficient strains in the process.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar se a inoculação com estirpes de bactérias diazotróficas de comprovada capacidade de solubilizar potássio (K) in vitro, contribui para a liberação de K no solo, após adubação com o pó da rocha fonolito. O experimento foi conduzido em recipientes contendo 0,3 dm-3 de solo contendo baixo teor de potássio. Foram utilizados 15 tratamentos, sendo: 12 com fonolito inoculados com as estirpes bacterianas e 3 tratamentos controle, um sem fonolito e sem inoculação, um contendo fonolito sem inoculação e um contendo KCl, fertilizante solúvel, sem inoculação. Nos tratamentos contendo fonolito e KCl, foi aplicada doses desses materiais para fornecer ao solo 195 mg dm-3 de K. Foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. O solo foi incubado por 90 dias, em temperatura ambiente e a umidade foi mantida a cerca de 70% da capacidade de retenção. Após esse período, foram avaliados o teor de K+ (Mehlich e resina), valor de pH e da acidez potencial (H+Al). A utilização do fonolito, associado a inoculação com a maioria das estirpes bacterianas contribuiu para aumentar a disponibilidade de potássio no solo, o valor de pH e reduzir a acidez potencial. Dentre as estirpes testadas, destacaram-se UNIFENAS 100-01, UNIFENAS 100-16, UNIFENAS 100-27, UNIFENAS 100-39 e UNIFENAS 100-93, que foram as mais eficientes para a solubilização do K+ do fonolito. Apesar dos resultados observados, verificou-se que o teor de K liberado pelas estirpes bacterianas no solo foi reduzido quando comparado às condições in vitro, justificando assim, a necessidade de estudos de biossolubilização no solo visando selecionar as estirpes mais eficientes para desempenhar o processo

Do tailings from the Mariana, MG (Brazil), disaster affect the initial development of millet, maize, and sorghum?

The collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana, MG, in 2015 resulted in the overflow of more than 50 million m3 of mud containing mine tailings, leaving a path of destruction and immeasurable social and environmental consequences. Tailings' chemical and physical assessments revealed the presence of some elements at levels higher than those allowed by Brazilian guidelines. The tailings also showed high density, which restricts vegetation recovery. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of mud containing mine tailings from the Fundão dam on the germination and initial growth and development of three plant species: millet, maize, and sorghum. These species were cultivated on substrates with five tailings proportions: 0 T (100% sand), 25 T (25% tailings + 75% sand); 50 T (50% tailings + 50% sand); 75 T (75% tailings + 25% sand); and 100 T (100% tailings). In experiment I, the germination and initial growth of seedlings (plants with 1 or none fully expanded leaf) in these substrates were evaluated. In experiment II, growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency (gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence), metal accumulation, and plant root morphology of the same species were evaluated at the three fully expanded leaves vegetative stage (V3). Overall, the germination of seedlings and the initial growth of the three species analyzed were not affected by the presence of tailings. However, in plants at the V3 stage, morphophysiology variations differed among species, given that their growth, biomass accumulation, and root dynamics were altered. Proportions of tailings in the substrate did not influence the absorption of iron or manganese by the studied plants. At the V3 stage, maize was the most tolerant, with a more robust root system, and showed fewer morphological changes and greater water use efficiency than the other studied species.

Vermicompost improves maize, millet and sorghum growth in iron mine tailings.

The Fundão dam was designed to store iron mine tailings in the region of Mariana, MG, Brazil. When it ruptured, the tailings overflowed. These tailings affected the soil due to the formation of a thick crust as a result of drying (compaction) and hindered the natural revegetation process. In this context, the use of organic fertilizers, including vermicompost, is method of reducing the physical limitations on root growth caused by soil properties and changing soil-metal interactions. For this reason, vermicompost was added to iron mine tailings, and its morphological and physiological effects on maize, millet and sorghum plants were studied. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using 6 dm3 pots. The plants were subjected to three treatments: mine tailings, mine tailings + vermicompost, and a reference soil. From the V3 stage onwards, biweekly growth, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence evaluations were performed. At the end of the experiment, dry biomass and metal, macro- and micronutrient contents were quantified, and the root morphology was evaluated. The tailings created physical limitations on root growth and had low nutrient content as well as high concentrations of chromium, iron and manganese. The addition of vermicompost favored increases in shoot and root dry biomass, increases in root length, volume, surface area and diameter, and the absorption of macro- and micronutrients, which was reflected in the growth of the studied species. In addition, vermicompost led to greater investment in thick and very thick roots, and in general, the plants showed no symptoms of metal toxicity. Considering the characteristics of the studied tailings, it can be concluded that vermicompost favors the growth of plant species and may be a viable method for beginning the recovery process in areas containing iron mine tailings.