Oxisol subsurface chemical attributes related to sugarcane productivity

Abstract

In spite of the great homogeneity found in the morphological characteristics of Oxisols, there is great chemical diversity in subsurface layers of these soils. Studies indicate that crop yield presents significant correlation with the chemical attributes of the subsurface, which, are more stable than attributes found in the plough layer, subject to greater alterations as a consequence of agricultural exploration. This work evaluated the effects of subsurface chemical attributes of Oxisols of the South Central region of Brazil, on the yield of sugarcane clones and of variety RB72454, during the first, second and third cropping cycles. Productivity data were obtained between 1993 and 1998. Soils were characterized in terms of their mechanical analysis and chemical traits at 0.8 to 1.0 m; correlation studies between these attributes and mean daily productivity as well as multiple regression analysis were also carried out; variables were selected based on their R 2 values by means of the stepwise procedure. The subsurface chemical traits of the Oxisols influenced sugarcane productivity, especially the 3 rd harvest; the clone productivity model for the 3 rd harvest as a function of base saturation and phosphorus content presented R 2 = 0.31, i.e., 31% of the variation in sugarcane yield (t ha -1 day

Correlation of physical and chemical attributes of soil with sugarcane yield

“…Although the range of pH variation in the area (CV ~ 8%) was small, it showed a relative high correlation with crop productivity. These results are in accordance with those of Beauclair (1991) and Landell et al (2003), who showed that pH at depths between 0 and 0.25 m had good correlation with crop yield, until the 3 rd harvest. Also unexpectedly, base saturation did not show positive correlation with yield (-0.154).…”

“…Landell et al (2003) evaluated the effects of the subsurface chemical attributes of Oxisols on the yield of some sugarcane clones, and of the cultivar RB72454 during the first, second and third cropping cycles. The authors verified, from multiple regression analyses, that in the third harvest yield variation for clones could be explained by two attributes: base saturation and phosphorus content.…”

Cargas elétricas estruturais e variáveis de solos tropicais altamente intemperizados

“…Este mineral, principal e virtualmente o único mineral silicatado em teor expressivo, e os óxidos e hidróxidos de Fe e de Al (Fontes et al, 2001) conferem superfície com carga elétrica variável nesses ambientes. É de se esperar que esses solos, principalmente nas camadas subsuperficiais, tenham baixíssimas quantidades de carga estrutural, à medida que avança o processo de intemperização, o que afeta a fertilidade do solo e a produtividade das culturas, como a da cana-de-açúcar (Landell et al, 2003).…”

Influence of gypsum application on sugarcane yield and soil chemical properties in the brazilian Cerrado

“…In a study with sugarcane clones, Landell et al (2003) demonstrated an inverse relationship between the exchangeable Al 3+ content and mean yield of the third ratoon crop. In this study, gypsum application was effective in reducing aluminum saturation to less than 18% (Fig 2d).…”

“…Sugarcane requires high water availability (1100 -1300 mm in the Central-West region) with regular distribution throughout the cycle (Hernandes et al, 2014). Nevertheless, the subsurface chemical traits of the Oxisols can influence sugarcane productivity due to variation in the sum of bases and contents of calcium and organic matter (Landell et al, 2003). These characteristics, particularly in view of the expansion of the crop into the Cerrado (Adami et al, 2012), calls for technologies that minimize the risk of yield losses.…”