Knowledge of the nutrient uptake by crops at different stages of growth may provide the basis for rational application of fertilizers, which may lead to reduced production costs and improved use of fertilizers by plants. Based on this knowledge, we conducted this study to determine the biomass and nutrient accumulation curve of the onion cultivar Bella Vista in a system of transplanted seedlings. The experiment was carried out in Ituporanga-SC, Brazil, by using a randomized block design with three replicates. Eleven plant collections were carried out throughout the crop cycle. The variables evaluated included plant length; total dry biomass of leaves, bulbs, and roots; and concentrations of macro- and micronutrients. The maximum dry biomass accumulation in the shoots and bulbs at 140 days after transplanting (DAT) was 4.26 and 27.41 mg per plant, respectively, which contributed to 13% and 85% of the whole plant dry biomass at the end of the cycle, respectively. Potassium (K, 521.6 mg) was accumulated in the largest quantity per plant, followed by nitrogen (N, 465.7 mg), calcium (Ca, 253.3 mg), sulfur (S, 109.0 mg), magnesium (Mg, 86.9 mg), and phosphorus (P, 76.5 mg). The micronutrient accumulation was as follows: iron (Fe, 6,227.5 µg), boron (B, 902.3 µg), zinc (Zn, 573.7 µg), manganese (Mn, 573.7 µg), and copper (Cu, 241.4 µg).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productivity and extraction of macronutrients by Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás (Syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás) single and intercropped with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. BRS Mandarim), subjected to four doses of nitrogen applied in topdressing (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg ha-1). The experiment was carried out in São Luís de Montes Belos, GO, in soil classified as dystrophic red latosol, under Cerrado conditions. Plant height and dry mass of pigeon pea, plant height, number of tillers, dry mass, and macronutrient extraction by Paiaguás palisadegrass were evaluated. Higher mass production was observed in the pasture intercropped with the legume, requiring a lower amount of N. Based on the results exposed, the cultivation of Paiaguás palisadegrass reaches higher productivity when intercropped with a legume such as pigeon pea, in addition to providing greater efficiency in the use of nutrients such as N, P and K. Nitrogen fertilization has a negative influence on the production of dry mass and height of pigeon pea plants.

The use of poultry litter as organic fertiliser will enhance the agronomic performance of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa grown in the Brazilian Cerrado region. The objective of this research work was to verify the effect of poultry litter as a source of phosphorus (P) for Mombasa guinea grass production, as well as its effect on the chemical composition of clayey soil. Throughout two years, six fertilisation strategies were tested: control, without organic or chemical fertilisation; 25% organic fertiliser and 75% inorganic fertiliser; 50% organic fertiliser and 50% inorganic fertiliser; 75% organic fertiliser and 25% inorganic fertiliser; 100% organic fertiliser; 100% inorganic fertiliser, represented by triple superphosphate (46% P ₂ O ₅ ). Over the two years of evaluation, using 75 and 100% of poultry litter led to the highest values in forage mass accumulation rate and production (Year 1st: 106.91 kg ha ⁻¹ and 105.99 kg ha ⁻¹ ; Year 2nd: 98.29 kg ha ⁻¹ and 111.41 kg ha ⁻¹ ). These organic fertiliser proportions promoted increases in P concentration in the 0–0.05 m and 0.05–0.10 m layers. A partial (75%) or total (100%) use of poultry litter as organic fertiliser has a positive influence on forage production in the forage canopy of Mombasa guinea grass.

Http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509818411Por fazer parte de inúmeros compostos e estar diretamente relacionado com a capacidade fotossintética das plantas, o nitrogênio (N) pode influenciar significativamente na produção e enraizamento de estacas. Com base nesse contexto, o trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de doses crescentes de N na produtividade, capacidade e velocidade de enraizamento das miniestacas produzidas de minicepas do clone híbrido de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla (I-224), além da qualidade das mudas formadas. O presente trabalho foi realizado no viveiro de mudas clonais de Eucalyptus, em minijardim de leito de areia da FAEF – Garça – SP. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com 4 repetições, sendo os tratamentos constituídos por 5 doses de nitrogênio diferentes na solução nutritiva (0; 80; 160; 240 e 320 mgL-1). As variáveis analisadas foram: número de estacas produzidas, índice de produtividade, enraizamento das estacas produzidas e determinação da massa seca das mudas. A dose de nitrogênio aplicada no minijardim influenciou na produção de estacas, apresentando comportamento quadrático, atingindo a produção máxima (13,1 estacas cepa-1 mês-1) com a dose estimada de 129 mg L-1. O percentual de enraizamento apresentou comportamento linear crescente. A dose que proporcionou o maior índice de produtividade do minijardim foi de 194 mg L-1. A dose de nitrogênio aplicada no minijardim influenciou significativamente na velocidade de enraizamento, e o acúmulo de matéria seca das mudas formadas.

The history of sod production in Brazil is somewhat recent when compared with conventional agricultural crops. This review describes the beginning of sod production in Brazil and the introduction of Emerald grass, as well as the emergence of Sod Growers Associations, which coincides with the marked expansion of the sector. The grass species and cultivars grown in Brazil are also presented and the main characteristics described. The text also reports few data in sod production area in the country, providing an overview planting evolution and characteristics of the market.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including citrus pulp in maize silage on chemical composition and fermentation parameters. The experimental design was fully randomized with four replicates. Maize silage consisting of 0–50% citrus pulp was produced and analyzed. The pH linearly decreased with the increased inclusion of citrus pulp (3.49 at 50% citrus pulp), which is far below what is considered adequate (3.8–4.2). However, not all fermentation parameters were compromised. At 33% citrus pulp, we estimated 30.82 g/kg total nitrogen. At 49% citrus pulp, we estimated 95.16 g/kg of crude protein. At 21% and 22% citrus pulp, we estimated 549.89 g/kg of neutral detergent fiber and 678.11 g/kg of total digestible nutrients, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that the inclusion of up to 30% citrus pulp improves the complete chemical composition of maize silage owing to the reduction in structural carbohydrate values and increases in total digestible nutrient and protein content.