The magnesium (Mg) use efficiency in the selection of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties may contribute to increased nutritional status and grain yield. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess common bean varieties following the application of Mg regarding productivity (yield), soil fertility, physiological components, and nutritional status. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with three replicates. Five common bean varieties [BRS Estilo, IPR Tangará, IPR Campos Gerais (CG), IAPAR 81, and BRS Ametista] supplemented with two Mg concentrations [low (0 mg kg −1 ) and high (100 mg kg −1 )] using magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) as a source in an Ustoxix Quatzipsamment were assessed. The yield of shoot dry weight (SDW) and grains varied significantly between varieties and Mg rates. The high Mg concentration has negatively affected the yield of SDW and grains of variety IPR Tangará, and the opposite was observed for the other varieties. The physiological components associated with photosynthesis are directly related to the yield of SDW and grains. The concentrations of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and boron (B) in leaves and of S, B, iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in grains differed among the varieties and interactions of rates and varieties for B, indicating the presence of genetic factors in nutrient uptake.

During the past several decades, extensive areas of the humid tropical Amazon have been cleared for the introduction of pasture or subsistence farming and later abandoned after a few years of use. An option for recovering these areas is the planting of rubber trees because it is a native tree that could restore conditions similar to those existing before the clearing. In addition, the high economic value of natural rubber is a source of income for small producers. In soil management under the Amazon conditions, low phosphorus (P) has been the most limiting factor. Under natural conditions, P is provided to the plants almost exclusively by organic matter mineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate a chronosequence of reforestation with rubber trees planted at different times in cleared areas, with primary forest as a reference. The amounts of litter and P content in the plant, in the litter, and in soil, as well as biological indicators (acid and alkaline phosphatase and P microbial biomass) associated with the P cycle in a Xanthic Ferralsol (Oxisol), in the Central Amazon were assessed. Rubber tree growth resulted in changes in total organic carbon, with an increase of 104.6% in the 45-year-old rubber trees compared with the 6-year-old rubber tree plantation. This was also observed for acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, which were close to those of the primary forest. The formation of litter and the P content of the microbial biomass in soil were higher in rubber areas. The P immobilized into microbial biomass was the main reserve to meet the plant's nutritional demand for phosphorus. The content of P available in the soil, regardless of the extractants (Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and Bray 1) and the age of vegetation cover were below the levels indicated as appropriate.

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The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of copper use efficiency in soybean cultivars, grown on a typical Ultisol with a high organic matter content, on soil chemical properties and on plant grain yield, nutritional state, and physiological components. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, in a 5×4 factorial arrangement, with five soybean cultivars (TMG 1066RR, BRS 360RR, NA 6262RR, BMX Turbo RR, and BRS 359RR) and four Cu rates (0, 2, 4, and 8 mg kg-1). Under the studied soil conditions, the DTPA-TEA and Mehlich-1 extractants were efficient in determining available Cu in the soil. Regardless of the cultivars, Cu application increased grain yield (GY), shoot dry weight yield (SDWY), number of pods per pot, GY/SDWY ratio, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll content. However, Cu use efficiency varied significantly among the different soybean genotypes. Except for Cu, soil chemical attributes and foliar and grain nutrient contents are not influenced by Cu rates nor by soybean cultivars.

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