ABSTRACT Molybdenum (Mo) availability is strongly affected by soil pH, which determines the dynamics of electrical charges and the adsorption of molybdate. This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen (N) and Mo application on the chemical properties of a Latossolo Amarelo (Oxisol) and in Coffea canephora nutrition and productivity throughout two productive cycles under field conditions. The experiment was conducted from June 2018 to May 2020. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks, in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, the first factor being the absence and presence (4 kg ha-1 yr-1) of molybdic fertilization and the second factor was the N dose (300, 500, 700, 900, and 1,100 kg ha-1 yr-1). At the end of each production cycle, soil samples were collected to evaluate the pH(H2O), pH(KCl), exchangeable aluminum, potential acidity, organic matter, and Mo, at layers of 0.00-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m. Leaves were sampled from the coffee tree to determine Mo and N contents and the coffee beans were harvested to evaluate the yield of processed coffee. The results showed that urea has a high potential for soil acidification, influencing the values of exchangeable aluminum, potential acidity, and ∆pH, at layers of 0.00-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m. The decrease in pH caused by increasing doses of N increased the density of positive electrical charges of the soil and reduced Mo content in the leaves of C. canephora by 67 %. The application of sodium molybdate via soil was efficient in providing Mo to Conilon coffee and provided a 3.7 % increase in the yield of processed coffee. Nevertheless, molybdic fertilization did not influence the Mo content in the soil in the evaluations carried out at the end of each production cycle.

RESUMO Estudos relacionados com o aproveitamento de escória de siderurgia tornaram-se imprescindíveis, pela possibilidade de seu uso como componente de substratos na produção de mudas e por esse uso minimizar o risco de contaminação ambiental, decorrente do descarte inadequado. Assim, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito de níveis crescentes de escória de siderurgia em substratos, compostos por solo com esterco bovino curtido e areia, nas variáveis de crescimento e na qualidade de mudas de pimenteira dedo-de-moça (Capsicum baccatum L.). Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, tendo como tratamentos cinco concentrações de escória (0%; 2,5%; 5%; 10% e; 20%) e quatro repetições. As avaliações ocorreram aos 55 dias após semeadura, consistindo na contagem do número de folhas, na medição da altura de planta e do diâmetro do coleto, na quantificação das massas secas de folhas e raízes da planta e na determinação do Índice de Qualidade de Dickson. Modelos de regressão foram ajustados (P < 0,05) aos tratamentos com níveis crescentes de escória de siderurgia. A adição em torno de 10% de escória ao substrato proporcionou os maiores valores das variáveis de crescimento, em mudas de pimenteira Dedo-de-moça.

ABSTRACT Studies related to the use of basic slag have become essential due to the possibility of use as a component of substrates in the production of seedlings and to minimize the risk of environmental contamination due to inadequate disposal. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of basic slag in substrates composed of soil, bovine manure, and sand on growth variables and quality of “Dedo de moça” pepper plants (Capsicum baccatum L.). A randomized block design was used, with five treatments of basic slag (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20%) and four replicates as treatments. The evaluations occurred at 55 days after sowing, consisting of counting the number of leaves, measuring plant height and stem diameter, and quantifying shoot and root dry masses. Regression models were adjusted (P < 0.05) in the treatments with increasing levels of basic slag. The addition of about 10% of basic slag in the substrate provided the highest values of growth variables in Dedo de moça pepper plants.

The extraction of nutrients from the soil by plants depends on soil fertility, plant management and plant production. The objec-tive of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of sources and doses of nitrogen on macronutrient extraction by Panicum maximum cv. Mombaga. The experiment was conducted from 1 October 2011 to 14 April 2012 in the Federal Institute of Espirito Santo, Santa Teresa Campus. The experimental design was a randomised block design with three repetitions in a 3 X 6 factorial scheme, with three nitrogen fertilisers (urea, ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate) and six nitrogen doses (0, 120, 240, 360, 480 and 600 kg ha-1). The established nitrogen doses were divided equally and applied every 28 days after the mombaga grass was cut, resulting in a total of seven applications during the 196-day experimental period. It was observed than nutrient extraction depends on forage plant production and was highest with the higher doses of nitrogen because of the greater dry matter production. The application of high doses of nitrogen in the form of calcium nitrate caused a reduced absorption of magnesium. Nitrogen fertilisation in pastures should be accompanied by the management of other nutrients to avoid nutritional imbalances or the depletion of soil fertility.

O fornecimento de N tem sido importante meio para aumento da produtividade das gramíneas forrageiras tropicais no Brasil, pois, na maioria das áreas cultivadas, os teores desse nutriente no solo não atendem satisfatoriamente a necessidade das culturas. Avaliou-se o efeito da aplicação de diferentes fontes e doses de N sobre os atributos químicos de um Latossolo Amarelo e a produção do Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo, campus Santa Teresa. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial 3 × 6, sendo três fertilizantes nitrogenados (ureia, sulfato de amônio e nitrato de cálcio) e seis doses de N (0, 120, 240, 360, 480 e 600 kg ha-1), totalizando 54 unidades experimentais. As doses de N foram aplicadas a cada 28 dias, sempre após o corte da forrageira, totalizando sete aplicações durante o período experimental de 196 dias. Após o término do experimento, foram coletadas, com o auxílio de um trado holandês, amostras de solo na profundidade de 0-20 e 20-40 cm, para avaliar o efeito da aplicação dos tratamentos sobre os atributos químicos do solo nas diferentes profundidades. Os resultados experimentais evidenciaram que o sulfato de amônio apresentou elevado potencial de acidificação do solo. As alterações provocadas no pH do solo resultaram em alterações nos teores de Al trocável, na acidez potencial e na disponibilidade de P no solo. A aplicação de elevadas doses de N na forma de sulfato de amônio e nitrato de cálcio promoveu a lixiviação de bases, especialmente do K para a profundidade de 20-40 cm.

Nitrogen supplementation has been an important means for increasing yield in tropical gramineous forage plants in Brazil because, in most growing areas, the levels of this nutrient in the soil do not adequately meet crop needs. We assessed the effect of different sources and application rates of N on the chemical properties of an Oxisol (Latossolo Amarelo) and the production of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça. The experiment was carried out at the Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo (State of Espirito Santo, Brazil), Santa Teresa campus. A randomized block experimental design with three replications was used in a 3 × 6 factorial arrangement, with three N fertilizers (urea, ammonium sulfate, and calcium nitrate) and six N doses (0, 120, 240, 360, 480, and 600 kg ha-1), for a total of 54 experimental units. The N was applied every 28 days, always after cutting the forage, for a total of seven applications over the 196-day experimental period. At the end of the experiment, soil samples were collected at the depth of 0-20 and 20-40 cm with the aid of a Dutch auger to evaluate the effect of the application rate on the chemical properties of the soil at the different depths. The experimental results showed high potential for soil acidification from ammonium sulfate. The changes brought about in soil pH resulted in changes in exchangeable Al content, in potential acidity, and in P availability in the soil. The application of high rates of N in the form of ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate led to leaching of bases, especially K at the depth of 20-40 cm.