The use of filter cake and vinasse in agriculture began in the 1970s and intensified in the 1990s. Currently, the Ukraine war and the high value of fertilizers have created opportunities for fertilization programs in agricultural systems with sustainable goals. This review presents updated data (1988–2024) and a discussion on the potential agricultural use of filter cake and vinasse and indicates the current progress of research on this subject in addition to future prospects. Filter cake stands out due to the formulation of organomineral fertilizers with direct application of composted or fresh forms, favoring the agronomic efficiency of phosphorus. The use of vinasse in fertigation is feasible and replaces potassium mineral fertilizers and other nutrients following an organic matrix. Future perspectives point to the agricultural use of filter cake and vinasse on a sustainable basis from different approaches. The aim is to potentiate their benefits in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. It is noteworthy that filter cake or vinasse, when combined with growth-promoting bacteria in irrigated crops, can nullify the negative effects of climate change due to increased productivity and, at the same time, meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This contributes to facing global challenges related to food security by recycling nutrients for agriculture and generating clean bioenergy from sugarcane biomass.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major constraint on crop growth and productivity in acidic soils, affecting root development, nutrient uptake, and photosynthetic performance. The use of Si is a promising strategy to overcome the adverse effects of Al toxicity on species of agronomic interest. Between 2020 and 2026, 15 studies across nine species consistently demonstrated that silicon mitigated aluminum toxicity, regardless of their classification as silicon accumulators. In plants, Si mitigates Al toxicity through a combination of physical, chemical, and biochemical mechanisms that operate simultaneously. In the rhizosphere, Si interacts directly with Al³⁺ ions, favoring the formation of hydroxyaluminosilicates (HASs), which reduces the bioavailable fraction of Al. Evidence indicates that solution pH is a critical factor governing HAS formation, with minimal attenuation of Al toxicity observed at pH values below 4.5. Within the plant, Si modulates the antioxidant defense system by enhancing the activity of enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase, thereby reducing oxidative stress typically triggered by Al toxicity. Moreover, Si influences the biosynthesis of lignin and phenolic compounds with Al-chelating capacity, contributing to detoxification at the cellular level. In soybean and rice, Si supply substantially reduced Al deposition in the root apical cell wall, with decreases of approximately 52% and 41.3%, respectively. This reduction was consistently associated with improved root elongation, maintenance of root structural integrity, mitigation of cellular deformation, and preservation of root thickness and vascular organization. Although these mechanisms have been described, a comprehensive synthesis of studies published from 2020 to 2026 has been lacking, particularly regarding the integration of in-plant processes and species-specific responses. This review fills this gap by critically examining recent findings, highlighting the multifaceted role of Si in alleviating Al stress, and discussing implications for agronomic applications in acidic soils. Collectively, the evidence underscores Si as an effective tool to enhance plant tolerance to Al; however, most available evidence is derived from early plant developmental stages and hydroponic or highly controlled systems, which limits the direct extrapolation of these findings to soil and field conditions. Future advances will require studies under soil environments, accounting for species-specific responses, soil properties, management systems, and plant developmental stages.

Organic residual material such as filter cake, combined with mineral phosphate fertilizers, may alter the soil phosphorus (P) bioavailability for sugarcane as a consequence of the competing effect in adsorption sites. This study aimed to quantify the changes in both the inorganic and organic soil P fractions as amended by phosphate fertilizer sources and filter cake and to link the P fractions to sugarcane response. An experiment was conducted in an Oxisol, in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement of 4 × 2, and three replications. Three P fertilizer sources (triple superphosphate, Araxá rock phosphate, and Bayóvar® reactive phosphate) plus a control (no P) were evaluated under both the presence and absence of filter cake. At the end of the second crop cycle, the following were measured: the cane yield, the tissue P content, and soil P fractions. All fertilizer sources were efficient in supplying P to sugarcane. Araxá rock phosphate generated a higher accumulation in moderately labile P, whereas the soluble triple superphosphate resulted in higher labile P. The filter cake, as a source of nutrients and organic matter, has an important contribution to maintain more available P for sugarcane absorption, especially when associated with triple superphosphate. The amount of P absorbed by sugarcane was correlated with the soil labile P (r= 0.58) and also with the inorganic P moderately labile (r= 0.42). Both fractions must be taken into account for a short- to medium-term availability of P for sugarcane in Oxisols.

Dada à tendência crescente do consumo do açaí-fruto objetivou-se sumariar dados referentes aos parâmetros tecnológicos, comerciais e nutracêuticos do açaí (Euterpe oleracea) explorado no Brasil. Os dados foram apresentados na forma descritiva, após a revisão integrativa da literatura. Notou-se que a exploração comercial do açaí, por ser uma atividade relativamente recente (década de 1990), precisa de ajustes tecnológicos relacionados ao sistema de produção. Há necessidade de estudos referentes ao melhoramento do açaizeiro visando disponibilizar novas cultivares para o plantio em terra firme. Atualmente, o maior entrave na cadeia produtiva do açaí refere-se ao transporte do campo para os entrepostos e/ou indústria de processamento e a logística de distribuição do produto processado. A alta incidência da informalidade ocasiona contaminação e descaracterização dos produtos colocando em riscos à saúde do consumidor. Por ser um produto altamente perecível, mesmo sob refrigeração, torna-se primordial pesquisas direcionadas para tecnologias de processamento, e conservação do açaí. Observou-se ser imprescindível intensificar a fiscalização sanitária nos locais de venda direta ao consumidor e agroindústrias de processamento levando em consideração o fato da polpa do açaí ser alcalina, facilitando a proliferação de fungos e bactérias, além do risco de transmissão oral da Doença de Chagas. Pesquisas comprovaram efeitos benéficos para a saúde humana de alguns compostos bioativos presentes no açaí. Em termos de uso como fármacos vislumbra-se diversas alternativas de emprego na área da saúde a curto e médio prazo. Tal aptidão tem despertado o interesse de pesquisas na comunidade científica nacional e internacional.

Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento e a produtividade de tomateiros tipo cereja submetidos a diferentes modos de aplicação de silício, bem como os efeitos dessa adubação sobre o acúmulo de silício nas plantas em cultivo sem solo. Trata-se de pesquisa de campo de natureza quantitativa. Os tratamentos compreenderam: plantas com aplicação de silício foliar, plantas que receberam silício no substrato comercial, plantas adubadas com silício foliar e no substrato comercial, além da testemunha (sem aplicação de silício). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso. O fornecimento de macro e micronutrientes ocorreu via fertirrigação. Na folha diagnose realizou-se leitura de clorofila total e clorofila a e b. Analisou-se, ainda, a massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, número e peso dos frutos, inflorescência e altura das plantas. Determinou-se o teor e acúmulo de silício na superfície das folhas coletadas no terço médio da planta e epicarpo do fruto. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância aplicando-se o teste de F e Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, quando os resultados foram significativos. Concluiu-se que a aplicação de silício, independente do modo aplicado, não diferiu da testemunha em todos os parâmetros avaliados. A aplicação de silício foliar favoreceu o aumento de tricomas nas folhas sugerindo maior proteção contra herbivoria. Recomenda-se a realização de outras pesquisas com variadas fontes e concentrações de silício visando identificar a resposta das plantas e estabelecer a ação deste elemento na produção do tomate tipo cereja.

Intensive irrigated agriculture relies heavily on nitrogen fertilization, which may cause ammonium accumulation, highly detrimental to sensitive seedlings. Silicon application has emerged as a potential strategy to mitigate this stress, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To evaluate this effect, maize seedlings were grown in nutrient solution under five N concentrations (1.4, 3.6, 7.1, 14.3, and 28.6 mmol L⁻¹), applied in the presence or absence of silicon (1.8 mmol L⁻¹ Si). The nitrogen source was a mixture of nitrate and ammonium in a N-NO₃⁻: N-NH₄⁺ ratio of 4:5. Silicon was supplied as monosilicic acid (H₂SiO₃). Plant growth, leaf area, root morphology (length, diameter, density), N and Si accumulation, uptake and utilization efficiency, SPAD index, nitrate reductase activity, and proline content were evaluated. Silicon supplementation enhanced nitrate reductase activity, SPAD values, leaf area, and root traits, reduced proline in roots and shoots, and improved N uptake and partitioning. Among the tested N concentrations, 14.3 mmol L⁻¹ achieved the highest efficiency of nutrient absorption and biomass production, highlighting silicon as a sustainable strategy to mitigate ammonium stress in maize seedlings.