Nanofertilizers are increasingly explored for sustainable micronutrient delivery in agriculture. Pre-treating seeds with nanofertilizers prior to planting (i.e., seed priming) reduces concerns about nanoparticle (NP) fertilizer non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid germination inhibition and toxicity. Here we investigate changes in corn seed germination and seedling development after seed priming with ZnO NPs, ZnO bulk and ZnCl2. To evaluate the effects sterile seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg L−1 Zn for the three Zn sources. Following an 8 h priming the seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor for 5 days on germination paper. Root and shoot lengths were measured as well as fresh and dry biomass. Compared to the control, the ZnO NP and ZnCl2 seed priming promoted beneficial effects. ZnO NP seed-priming exhibited a concentration dependent profile in improving seedling growth, with greatest benefit around 80 mg L−1, providing 17%, 25% and 12% higher values than control for germination, root length, and dry biomass production, respectively. In contrast, seeds primed with bulk ZnO did not differ from the control. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery of essential micronutrients, such as zinc, to corn seedlings.

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Lime application is the most appropriate technique to raise soil pH, decrease Al3+ toxicity and increase Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents in acidic tropical and subtropical moist soils. The objective of this research is to evaluate changes in chemical attributes and soybean yield in sandy soil after lime incorporation. The soil was classified as a typical Quartzipsamments cultivated with (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) pasture, and its degradation state was classified as strong. The experimental design was a randomized block with six replicates and four lime doses (0, 2, 4 and 8 Mg ha-1). The soil in the area was prepared with one plowing and two harrowings, followed by lime application and two more harrowings to incorporate the lime up to 0.2 m depth. The dependent variables analyzed were soybean yield; numbers of pods filled, pods not filled, and total pods and soil pH in water, CaCl2 and KCl. All parameters were measured at depth of 0.0-0.1, 0.1-0.2 and 0.2-0.3 m. The increase of soil pH by the different lime rates were observed just in 0.0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m layers. After 6 months no changes in soil pH were observed in subsoil (0.2-0.3 m). With lower H+ and Al3+ activity and higher basic cation availability, soybean yield was also changed. The maximum soybean yield of 2,929 kg ha-1 was observed with 4.6 Mg ha-1 lime application, although pod number per plant remained constant, independent of limestone dose.

Brazilian soybean producers commonly apply maintenance potassium (K) fertilization during cultivation to restore the K taken up by plants; however, this measure can modify the morphophysiological plant characteristics, since the functions of K are closely related with plant growth and development. This study assessed the morphological changes in soybean plants in response to K rates, sowing fertilization, and the application periods of K fertilization in a Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico (Oxisol) under a no-tillage system, located in the municipality of Floresta, Paraná. A randomized block design was used in the experiment with four replications in a fully crossed factorial design (5 × 2 × 2). The experiment was carried out in two growing seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017), with a total of 80 experimental units. The rates corresponded to the first factor (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha -1 of K). The application periods (pre-sowing and post-sowing) were the second factor, and sowing fertilization (0 and 30 kg ha -1 of K) the third. The following variables were measured: shoot dry weight, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and leaf area index, and these biometric parameters were correlated with soybean yield. The results showed that plants well-supplied with K exploited the environment better and this may be reversed for higher yields since there were correlations between grain yield and the biometric parameters. At lower water availability, the biometric changes were more evident.

Effluents from different industrial supply conglomerates are often discarded in the environment without proper treatment. The concern for an economically viable industrial production line, which is both environmentally sound and socially acceptable, is increasing. Some of these effluents are alkaline in nature and may be used as an alternative to chemical conditioners for acidic soils in agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate changes in the chemical attributes of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol) after application of an effluent from a pharmaceutical industry. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using PVC tubes of 1-m length and a 0.2-m diameter filled with soil and different doses of the effluent. After 3 days, 100 mm of water was applied to each treatment. The PVC tubes were incubated for 30 days; thereafter, the tubes disassembled, and soil chemical analysis were ResumoOs efluentes das diversas cadeias produtivas industriais são muitas vezes descartados no ambiente sem tratamento adequado. A preocupação por uma linha de produção industrial economicamente viável, ambientalmente correta e socialmente aceita é cada vez mais preconizada. Alguns desses efluentes apresentam caráter alcalino, e podem ser utilizados como condicionadores químicos de solos ácidos, em sistemas agrícolas. Objetivou-se com a realização do presente trabalho, avaliar alterações químicas de um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO distroférrico, após aplicação de efluente da indústria farmacêutica. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação e conduzido em tubos de PVC de 1 m de comprimento e 0,2 m de diâmetro. Nos tubos, preenchidos com solo, foram aplicadas diferentes doses do efluente. Após 3 dias, 100 mm de água foi aplicado sobre cada tratamento. As colunas foram incubadas por 30 dias, posteriormente desmontadas e feitas análises químicas nas diferentes profundidades: 0-0,2; 0, 2-0,4; 0,4-0,6; 0,6-0,8 e 0,8-1,0

and phosphogypsum application management: changes in soil acidity, sulfur availability and crop yield. Rev Bras Cienc Solo. 2021;45:e0200135.

Fertilizer formulation alternatives that avoid unnecessary losses and environmental impacts are being investigated in agricultural management. Seed priming with nanofertilizers prior to planting, reduces concerns about non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid undesired effects. Here, seed germination and seedling development were evaluated after seed priming with CuO nanoparticles (NPs), CuO bulk and CuCl2. The seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg.L−1 Cu for the three Cu sources. Following 8 hours priming, the seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor (first germination count). Root and shoot lengths were measured as well as shoot and root dry biomass. The copper NP did not show any toxic effects on corn seed germination and growth, and also promoted higher biomass when compared to the other Cu sources. On the other hand, CuCl2 primed seeds exhibited Cu-toxicity in roots and shoots for all concentrations tested. Bulk Cu priming results indicated the better role of NPs size effects. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery of essential micronutrients, such as copper, to corn seedlings.