Although highly weathered soils cover considerable areas in tropical regions, little is known about exploration by roots in deep soil layers. Intensively managed Eucalyptus plantations are simple forest ecosystems that can provide an insight into the belowground growth strategy of fast-growing tropical trees. Fast exploration of deep soil layers by eucalypt fine roots may contribute to achieving a gross primary production that is among the highest in the world for forests. Soil exploration by fine roots down to a depth of 10 m was studied throughout the complete cycle in Eucalyptus grandis plantations managed in short rotation. Intersects of fine roots, less than 1 mm in diameter, and medium-sized roots, 1–3 mm in diameter, were counted on trench walls in a chronosequence of 1-, 2-, 3.5-, and 6-year-old plantations on a sandy soil, as well as in an adjacent 6-year-old stand growing in a clayey soil. Two soil profiles were studied down to a depth of 10 m in each stand (down to 6 m at ages 1 and 2 years) and 4 soil profiles down to 1.5–3.0 m deep. The root intersects were counted on 224 m2 of trench walls in 15 pits. Monitoring the soil water content showed that, after clear-cutting, almost all the available water stored down to a depth of 7 m was taken up by tree roots within 1.1 year of planting. The soil space was explored intensively by fine roots down to a depth of 3 m from 1 year after planting, with an increase in anisotropy in the upper layers throughout the rotation. About 60% of fine root intersects were found at a depth of more than 1 m, irrespective of stand age. The root distribution was isotropic in deep soil layers and kriged maps showed fine root clumping. A considerable volume of soil was explored by fine roots in eucalypt plantations on deep tropical soils, which might prevent water and nutrient losses by deep drainage after canopy closure and contribute to maximizing resource uses.

RESUMOO uso de cultivares selecionadas é uma das tecnologias de mais fácil adoção pelo agricultor, pois além de incrementar a produtividade, é um dos insumos de menor custo na produção agrícola. Assim, é fundamental obter informações sobre o desempenho de novas cultivares, nas mais diversas regiões de cultivo. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho avaliar o comportamento de cultivares de arroz de terras altas (Oryza sativa L.) (BRS Aroma, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, BRSMG Conai, BRSMG Curinga, BRS Soberana, BRS Talento e IAC 202), sob condições de sequeiro, na região de Cassilândia, MS. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. A semeadura foi realizada em 30 de novembro de 2005, no espaçamento de 0,40 m entre linhas e 70 sementes viáveis por metro. As cultivares BRS Talento, IAC 202 e BRS Soberana apresentaram comportamento superior. As cultivares BRS Soberana, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, IAC 202 e BRS Talento apresentaram maior rendimento de grãos inteiros. É possível obterse boa produtividade (acima de 3.000 kg ha -1 ), na cultura do arroz de terras altas sob condições de sequeiro no município de Cassilândia, MS, desde que sejam utilizadas cultivares adequadas. Termos para indexação:Oryza sativa, componentes da produção, qualidade de grãos.. ABSTRACTThe use of selected cultivars is one of the easiest technologies for adoption by the farmer; besides yield increase, it offers lower cost in the agricultural production. Thus, it is fundamental to obtain information about the performance of new cultivars, from the most diverse cropping regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) (BRS Aroma, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, BRSMG Conai, BRSMG Curinga, BRS Soberana, BRS Talento and IAC 202) under rainfed condition in Cassilândia, MS, Brazil. A randomized complete block design, with four replications was used. The seeds were sowed on November 30 2006, with 0.40 m between rows and a density of 70 viable seeds per meter. The results showed that BRS Talento, IAC 202, and BRS Soberana presented better performance. BRS Soberana, BRS Bonança, BRS Colosso, IAC 202, and BRS Talento presented larger whole grain yield. It is possible to obtain good rice grain yield higher than 3,000 kg ha -1 , under rainfed condition in Cassilândia, MS, since appropriate cultivars are used.