Naturally infertile soils require large amounts of mineral fertilizers to obtain the desired crop yield. In the Cerrado region of Brazil, there is a need to investigate the potential of organic fertilizers to sustainably increase crop productivity and food security. A field study was conducted over two experimental seasons to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of composted sewage sludge (CSS) as a fertilizer for soybean cultivation in infertile tropical soils. A 4 × 2 + 2 factorial randomized complete block design was applied with the following treatments: (i) CSS: 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 Mg ha⁻¹ on a wet basis applied according to two different methods: whole area (WA) or between rows (BR); (ii) comparison with two alternative treatments: a control with no CSS and mineral fertilizer application, and an area treated with conventional fertilizers only. All the treatments were compared in terms of micronutrient concentrations in surface soil and plant leaves, plant development, crop productivity, and yield. Bi- (ANOVA, correlation matrix, and polynomial regression analysis) and multivariate (PCA, principal factor analysis) statistics were applied to determine statistical differences and relationships/observed variability among the treatments. Results showed that at higher CSS-WA rates: (i) soil and leaf micronutrient concentrations increased; (ii) there was an increase in soybean yield by 12 and 20%, respectively, as compared to control and conventional fertilization; (iii) soybean yield was 67% higher than the mean soybean yields for Brazil. Research outcomes confirm the benefits of CSS application on infertile agricultural soils in the Cerrado region, representing a strong alternative source of micronutrients in the CSS with respect to conventional fertilizers.

Mato Grosso do Sul State in Brazil is characterized by the ‘Cerrado’ ecoregion, which is the most biologically rich Savannah globally. In agricultural terms, the region produces several commodities that are exported around the world. This level of productivity has been achieved through the large-scale use of synthetic fertilizers, which has created several economic and environmental concerns. New approaches in soil fertility management are required to avoid environmental degradation, pollution, and socio-environmental damages. A field experiment, lasting two years, was conducted to investigate the composted sewage sludge (CSS) effects on an infertile acidic soil (Oxisol) planted to maize (Zea mays L.). The following complete randomized complete block design with a 4 × 2 + 2 factorial scheme (four replications) was applied: four CSS increasing rates (from 5.0 to 12.5 Mg ha⁻¹, w.b.) following two application methods (whole area and between crop rows). A control, without CSS or synthetic fertilizers, and conventional synthetic fertilization without CSS were also investigated. Evaluated parameters were: (i) soil and leaf micronutrient concentrations; (ii) maize development, yield, and production. The CSS application increased: (i) the concentration of micronutrients in both soil and leaves; and (ii) the crop yield. Both were particularly true at the higher CSS applied rates. Such organic fertilizer can be safely used as a source of micronutrients for crops as an important low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers, thus safeguarding soil health.

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application. The experiment was carried out in the field at Selvíria-MS, Brazil. The common bean cv. BRS Estilo was cultivated in two agricultural years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. Six different treatments were compared: (i) four increasing CSS rates, i.e., CSS5.0 (5.0 t ha⁻¹ of applied CSS, wet basis), CSS7.5, CSS10.0, CSS12.5; (ii) a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF); (iii) a control (CT) without CSS and CF application. The available levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were evaluated in soil samples collected in the 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.4 m soil surface horizons. The concentration, extraction, and export of micronutrients in the leaf and productivity of common beans were evaluated. The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Mn ranged from medium to high in soil. The available levels of B and Zn in the soil increased with the residual rates of CSS, which were statistically not different from the treatments with CF. The nutritional status of the common bean remained adequate. The common bean showed a higher requirement for micronutrients in the second year. The leaf concentration of B and Zn increased in the CSS7.5 and CSS10.0 treatments. There was a greater extraction of micronutrients in the second year. Productivity was not influenced by the treatments; however, it was higher than the Brazilian national average. Micronutrients exported to grains varied between growing years but were not influenced by treatments. We conclude that CSS can be used as an alternative source of micronutrients for common beans grown in winter.

The artificial flowering induction in mango tree is the most important crop management in mango orchards and requires greater attention from growers. The management involves three steps: stoppage of plant growth, branch maturation and flowering induction with nitrates. The first stage starts with the application of paclobutrazol to the soil. However, problems with the use of excessive concentrations are common and lead to the accumulation of residues in the soil. In addition, the use of paclobutrazol is not allowed in organic agriculture. Therefore, this review article aimed to compile information about the updates and efforts to solve these problems in conventional mango crops, as well as identify alternatives for its organic management. In conventional orchards, the application of fulvic acids in association with paclobutrazol, as an alternative to the single use of paclobutrazol, was identified as a way to improve the absorption of the product by plants and, consequently, reduce the concentrations and residues in the soil. Researches involving pruning, girdling, fertilization and irrigation should be developed as an alternative to the use of paclobutrazol for the organic crop system of mango cultivars in tropical and subtropical regions.

DiscoveryTM bermudagrass has been used in ornamental and sporty low-traffic turfgrass, due to its intense green coloring and slow growth, as an alternative in the search to reduce maintenance costs, such as cutting and nitrogen fertilization. However, little is known about fertilization recommendations in winter seasons, especially nitrogen fertilization. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate different doses of N in the development of bermudagrass DiscoveryTM in winter. The experiment was carried out during the winter, in an area with DiscoveryTM lawn already implemented. The design was entirely causalized, with 5 doses of N (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 g N m-2) through the application of urea, with four repetitions, using 20% of the doses, according to crop requirement for winter, in a single application. The evaluated parameters were green color index (GCI), (Scout CM-1000 and Scout TCM 500), height, dry mass, traction and analysis by digital image of the lawn. It was observed that with the increase of N doses there was an increase in biometric assessments, however the analysis by digital image showed uneven results, and the traction of the lawn did not differ between treatments. Larger doses provided a better visual aspect of the lawn, but for the economic aspect, it is concluded that the use of 20% of the doses between 30 and 40 g N m-2, applied only once during the winter, is more recommended for the development of the DiscoveryTM bermudagrass.

As plantas condimentares estão presentes no cotidiano e possuem uma grande aceitação no mundo devido ao gosto requintado e aroma diferenciado, tornando os pratos mais apetitosos e nutritivos. Além das propriedades organolépticas, possuem também propriedades funcionais que realçam a sua importância na alimentação. Tendo em vista a importância dos condimentos, o presente estudo buscou descrever por meio de materiais científicos as propriedades funcionais e organolépticas das principais plantas condimentares. Foi elaborado a partir de uma revisã o da literatura acerca das propriedades funcionais e organolépticas dos condimentos orégano (Origanum vulgare), pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum), urucum (Bixa orellana), gengibre (Zingiber officinale), tomilho (Thymus vulgaris) e manjericão (Ocimum basilicum). A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados Google Scholar, Periódicos Capes, Scielo e ScienceDirect englobando o período entre 1984 e 2019, realizando uma análise da adequabilidade do conteúdo ao tema proposto, compilação dos dados e posterior reunião por tópicos específicos e fichamento das informações e referências respeitando a fidelidade dos originais. Deste modo, após a seleção com base no referencial bibliográfico, foi realizada uma análise multivariada da variância, onde foi atribuído pontuação 1 para presença da função ou do composto secundário ou especializado, e 0 para ausência , a seguir submetidos à análise quimiométrica por meio do software estatístico gratuito Metabo Analyst (4.0). Concluiu-se através dessa revisão que para as propriedades funcionais, o urucum tem características em comum com a pimenta -do-reino, ambos podendo ser utilizados quando o objetivo é principalmente a obtenção de condimentos com propriedades anticonvulsivantes. Já para as propriedades organolépticas, manjericão e orégano assemelham -se, possuindo metabólitos em comum.