Macronutrient accumulation in the soybean influenced by prior cultivation of Marandu grass and soil remediation and compaction

Abstract

The present work was developed with the objective of evaluating the effect of the prior cultivation of marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), conditioning applications and soil compaction on macronutrient accumulation in soybeans grown under successive cultivation. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 6 x 2 factorial layout with three replications. The factors under study were four soil densities: 1.0, 1.20, 1.40 and 1.60 Mg m-3; six conditioning treatments: 1) a control with no conditioning, 2) limestone; 3) calcium silicate, 4) gypsum, 5) limestone and gypsum, 6) calcium silicate and gypsum; besides two cultivation systems: with and without the prior cultivation of marandu grass. The experimental units were made from PVC tubes, 20 cm in diameter, composed of two rings: the lower ring, 40 cm in height, received soil under natural conditions and at a density of 1.0 Mg m-3; the upper ring, 20 cm in height, representing 6.28 dm3, received the density, conditioning and gypsum treatments as described below. In each unit, three soybean plants (cv. Conquest) were grown until the end of their cycle, when the accumulation of macronutrients in the crop was evaluated. The results showed that prior cultivation of marandu grass and the use of conditioners mitigated the negative effects of soil compaction on soybean nutrition. The use of soil conditioners contributed to an increase in the accumulation of nutrients in the soybean shoot, but the increase in compaction reduced the accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S. Soil compaction persisted in part through the prior cultivation of Marandu grass.