Nickel (Ni) availability in soil varies as a function of pH. Plants require Ni in small quantities for normal development, especially in legumes due its role in nitrogen (N) metabolism. This study investigated the effect of soil base saturation, and Ni amendments on Ni uptake, nitrogen (N) accumulation in the leaves and grains, as well as to evaluate organic acids changes in soybean. In addition, two N assimilation enzymes were assayed: nitrate reductase (NR) and Ni-dependent urease. Soybean plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum were cultivated in soil-filled pots under two base-cation saturation (BCS) ratios (50 and 70%) and five Ni rates - 0.0; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0; and 10.0 mg dm-3 Ni. At flowering (R1 developmental stage), plants for each condition were evaluated for organic acids (oxalic, malonic, succinic, malic, tartaric, fumaric, oxaloacetic, citric and lactic) levels as well as the activities of urease and nitrate reductase. At the end of the growth period (R7 developmental stage - grain maturity), grain N and Ni accumulations were determined. The available soil-Ni in rhizosphere extracted by DTPA increased with Ni rates, notably in BCS50. The highest concentrations of organic acid and N occurred in BCS70 and 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni. There were no significant differences for urease activity taken on plants grown at BSC50 for Ni rates, except for the control treatment, while plants cultivated at soil BCS70 increased the urease activity up to 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni. In addition, the highest values for urease activities were reached from the 0.5 mg dm-3 of Ni rate for both BCS treatments. The NR activity was not affected by any treatment indicating good biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) for all plants. The reddish color of the nodules increased with Ni rates in both BCS50 and 70, also confirms the good BNF due to Ni availability. The optimal development of soybean occurs in BCS70, but requires an extra Ni supply for the production of organic acids and for increased N- shoot and grain accumulation.

A presença de metais pesados no lodo de esgoto é uma das restrições quanto ao seu uso em áreas agrícolas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de doses de lodo de esgoto por 11 anos consecutivos em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico sobre as concentrações de Ba, Cd, Cr e Pb em três profundidades no solo (0-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm), bem como quantificar os mesmos metais na folha diagnose e nos grãos de milho. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de campo, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos (0, 5, 10 e 20 t ha-1 de lodo de esgoto, base seca) e cinco repetições. As amostras de folha diagnose, solo, plantas inteiras e grãos foram obtidas, respectivamente, aos 60, 68, 80 e 123 dias após a emergência das plantas. A aplicação de doses de lodo de esgoto de 10 e 20 t ha-1 aumentou os teores de Ba, Cr e Pb na camada superficial do solo (0-10 cm), mas não alterou os de Cd. As doses do lodo de esgoto testadas não proporcionaram incrementos nas concentrações de Cd, Cr e Pb na folha diagnose e de Ba, Cd, Cr e Pb nas plantas de milho. A concentração de Ba na folha diagnose reduziu com a aplicação do resíduo. Os teores de Cd e Pb em grãos de milho permaneceram abaixo dos limites estabelecidos para o consumo humano, a concentração de Cr não pôde ser avaliada e nenhuma referência foi encontrada para comparar as concentrações de Ba.

Cotton is the most widely consumed natural fiber globally and emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to synthetic alternatives. Brazil is currently the largest cotton exporter, and understanding its potential for sustainable expansion is crucial. This study developed agroclimatic zoning maps for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) across Brazil under current and future climate conditions using data from the World-Clim and MapBiomas platforms. Four climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5) were assessed over multiple time periods. Results showed that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall will likely reduce cotton suitability in traditional producing regions such as Bahia. However, areas with potential for cotton cultivation, especially in Mato Grosso, which currently accounts for 90% of national production, remain extensive, with agroclimatic conditions indicating a theoretical expansion potential of up to 40 times the current cultivated area. This projection must be interpreted with caution, as it does not account for economic, logistical, or social constraints. Notably, Brazilian cotton is cultivated with minimal irrigation, low fertilizer input, and high adoption of no-till systems, making it one of the least carbon-intensive globally.