The environmental behaviour of metolachlor and diuron was studied in the Central-western region of Brazil, by means of a field study where six experimental plots were installed. The soil was classified as a Latosol, and the soil horizons were characterized. Sorption of metolachlor and diuron was evaluated in laboratory batch experiments. Metolachlor and diuron were applied to the experimental plots on uncultivated soil in October 2003. From this date to March 2004, the following processes were studied: leaching, runoff and dissipation in top soil. K oc of metolachlor varied from 179 to 264 mL g −1 in the soil horizons. K oc of diuron in the Ap horizon was 917 mL g −1 , decreasing significantly in the deeper horizons. Field dissipation half-lives of metolachlor and diuron were 18 and 15 days, respectively. In percolated water, metolachlor was detected in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2.84 μg L −1 . In runoff water and sediment, metolachlor was detected in decreasing concentrations throughout the period of study. Losses of 0.02% and 0.54% of the applied amount by leaching and runoff, respectively, were observed confirming the high mobility of this herbicide in the environment. In percolated water, diuron was detected with low frequency but in relatively high concentrations (up to 6.29 μg L −1 ). In runoff water and soil, diuron was detected in decreasing concentrations until 70 days after application, totalizing 13.9% during the whole sampling period. These results show the importance of practices to reduce runoff avoiding surface water contamination by these pesticides, particularly diuron.

The environmental behavior of chlorpyrifos and endosulfan in soil was studied in the central-western region of Brazil by means of a field experiment. Sorption was evaluated in laboratory batch experiments. Chlorpyrifos and endosulfan were applied to experimental plots on uncultivated soil and the following processes were studied: leaching, runoff, and dissipation in top soil. Field dissipation of chlorpyrifos and endosulfan was more rapid than reported in temperate climates. Despite the high Koc of the studied pesticides, the two endosulfan isomers and endosulfan sulfate as well as chlorpyrifos were detected in percolated water. In runoff water and sediment, both endosulfan isomers and endosulfan sulfate were detected throughout the period of study. Observed losses of endosulfan by leaching (below a depth of 50 cm) and runoff were 0.0013 and 1.04% of the applied amount, whereas chlorpyrifos losses were 0.003 and 0.032%, respectively. Leaching of these highly adsorbed pesticides was attributed to preferential flow.

Sorption of acetamiprid ((E)-N1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N2-cyano-N1-methylacetamidine), carbendazim (methyl benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate), diuron (N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N, N-dimethyl urea) and thiamethoxam (3-(2-chloro-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-[1,3,5]oxadiazinan-4-ylidene-N-nitroamine) was evaluated in two Brazilian tropical soils, Oxisol and Entisol, from Primavera do Leste region, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. To describe the sorption process, batch experiments were carried out. Linear and Freundlich isotherm models were used to calculate the K(d) and K(f) coefficients from experimental data. The K(d) values were utilized to calculate the partition coefficient normalized to soil organic carbon (K(oc)). For the pesticides acetamiprid, carbendazim, diuron and thiamenthoxan the K(oc) (mL g(- 1)) values ranged in both soils from 98 - 3235, 1024 - 2644, 145 - 2631 and 104 - 2877, respectively. From the studied pesticides, only carbendazim presented correlation (r(2) = 0.82 and p < 0.01) with soil organic carbon (OC) content. Acetamiprid and thiamethoxam showed low sorption coefficients, representing a high risk of surface and ground water contamination.

Dentre as possibilidades de obtenção de elevados rendimentos de grãos, em uma cultura, bem como diminuição dos custos, destaca-se a identificação de genótipos com maior eficiência na absorção e utilização de nutrientes. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar caracteres agronômicos (altura de plantas, diâmetro de caule e número de folhas), teores de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e B) e rendimento de grãos de genótipos de girassol. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com 8 genótipos (M734, HELIO 358, Embrapa 122, HLE 23, MG 341, BRS G37, BRS G41, V90631) e quatro repetições. Todos os genótipos apresentaram altura de plantas, diâmetro de caule e número de folhas dentro dos padrões estabelecidos para híbridos e variedades comerciais. Os teores foliares de N, P, Mg, S e B não foram influenciados pelos genótipos de girassol. Os teores foliares de K e Ca foram distintos entre os genótipos de girassol, sendo os maiores teores encontrados em HELIO 358 e MG341, respectivamente. Os maiores rendimentos de grãos foram obtidos com BRS G37, HLE 23, M734 e HELIO 358. Houve correlação positiva entre os caracteres morfológicos e teores de nutrientes, nas cultivares V90631 e Embrapa 122, e entre os teores de nutrientes e rendimento de grãos, na cultivar M734.

O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito residual de fertilizantes fosfatados e a eficiência de extratores químicos na avaliação da disponibilidade de fósforo no solo e estudar o aproveitamento do fósforo dos adubos fosfatados. Quatro fontes de P (Superfosfato Triplo, Termofosfato Yoorin, Fosfato Natural da Carolina do Norte e Fosfato Natural de Arad) e três doses (50, 100 e 200 mg dm-3) foram aplicadas em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, onde foram cultivadas plantas de arroz. Houve efeito residual das doses de fósforo aplicadas, resultando em aumento de matéria seca; o teor de fósforo extraído do solo aumentou com as doses de fósforo; o extrator Mehlich 1 apresentou maiores valores de P para os fosfatos naturais. Para as fontes solúveis, a resina extraiu mais fósforo, sendo similar ao Mehlich 1; o valor E correlacionou-se com a matéria seca para o fosfato Carolina do Norte, fosfato Arad e termofosfato Yoorin; todos os extratores foram eficientes e similares para avaliar a disponibilidade de fósforo para a planta; além de se considerar os diversos extratores, é necessário considerar a fonte utilizada.