No abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivars with high yield potential and suitable plant architecture for mechanized harvesting have recently shown a growing interest to be cultivated as a second crop in fall–winter season of southeastern Brazil. The agronomic optimal plant density (AOPD) is one of the main management factors defining attainable yield. However, in the scientific literature for semiupright cowpea cultivars grown in fall–winter season in southeastern Brazil the AOPD is not yet clearly defined. A 3‐yr study was conducted to evaluate the effect of five plant densities (100,000–500,000 plants ha−1) on growth, seed yield and its components for two cowpea cultivars (BRS Guariba and BRS Novaera) in Botucatu, southeastern Brazil. The AOPD for cowpea increased as the attainable yield improved. The increase in plant density promoted increases in leaf area index (LAI) and the position (measured in height) of the first pod insertion for cowpea plants, but negatively affected per‐plant scale surviving rate, leaf area, aboveground dry matter (DM), and yield resulting from intraspecific competition. Maximum cowpea seed yields were achieved with AOPD ranging from 216,630 to 290,537 plants ha−1 (8–24% greater than under the lowest plant density). On average, 259,000 plants ha−1 was estimated for the AOPD to achieve maximum seed yield of semiupright cowpea grown as a second crop in fall–winter season in southeastern Brazil.

This study checked the nitrogen (N) uptake, fate of the N fertilizer, fertilizer recovery efficiency (FRE) and the residual amount of N fertilizer in the soil via 15 N-labelled fertilizer applied to soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), to explain any differences in the yields. Two soybean field experiments were established in Brazil, one conducted in a tropical (Trop) zone located at Cerrado Biome and the other in a subtropical (Subt) environment. The experimental design was a 2-factor in randomized complete block with four replications. Five doses of N (0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha −1) were applied at two soybean growth stages (VE and R3). For all treatments, except No-N, 15 N-labelled fertilizer was used. The N uptake and the amount of N fertilizer were analysed in the roots, shoots, grains and whole plant, the FRE and yield by soybean, and the residual of fertilizer in the soil. The total N uptake (Nplant) was greater with fertilization at R3 stage compared to the other stage, and N application increased the yield just at this stage and in the Trop condition. The increase in N shoot (not specifically from fertilizer) with the application at R3 appeared to be related to the increased in yield. However, the N from fertilizer found in the plant shoot was about 20% higher when fertilizer was applied at VE compared with R3. Under Subt condition, the FRE averaging 55%. In contrast, the FRE decreased from low to high nitrogen rates (64 to 40%, respectively) when soybean grown under Trop condition. Most N from fertilizer (38%) was found in the grains, followed by the shoot (14.6%) and the root (0.58%). The use of N fertilizer at reproductive growth stages is a better approach to meet soybean N demand through N fertilization. Potential yield gains are more reliable under Trop condition.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of molten and ground alkaline potassium-silicate rocks (K1) and of ground phonolite rock (K2) as sources of potassium for upland rice (Oryza sativa) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crops, in comparison with the traditional source (KCl). Two experiments - one with each crop - were conducted on a Typic Haplorthox in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three sources (KCl, K1, and K2) and four rates (0, 20, 40, and 80 kg ha-1 K2O) of K. Regardless of the used source, K fertilization increased the leaf K content and grain yield of the upland rice and common bean crops. The agronomic efficiency index (AEI) of the alternative K sources varied according to the crop. For upland rice, the AEI of K2 was 8% higher than that of KCl at the recommended K rate, but similar at the highest rate. For common bean, the AEI values of K1 were close to that of KCl at the rates of 40 and 80 kg ha-1 K2O. The alternative sources K1 and K2 supply K and increase the grain yield of common bean and upland rice, respectively, similarly to KCl.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic and economic efficiency of phonolite rock (K2) and alkaline potassium-silicate rock (K3), ground and applied by surface broadcasting, as K sources for the soybean (Glycine max), corn (Zea mays), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and upland rice (Oryza sativa) crops. Four experiments – one with each crop – were conducted in two crop years in a Typic Haplorthox in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three sources (the KCl standard source, K2, and K3) and four rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 times the recommended for each crop) of K. The three sources increased similarly the leaf K concentration of soybean, corn, and common bean but had no effect on that of upland rice. The grain yield of all crops increased with the application of K2 and K3, as observed for KCl. The efficiency of the alternative K sources varies depending on the rate and crop. The K3 source is viable to be applied by broadcasting at the recommended K rate for all studied crops, while K2 is suitable only for soybean, corn, and common bean.