Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o papel da profundidade do solo e da microtopografia em aspectos nutricionais e produtivos de bananais irrigados. O estudo foi conduzido na Chapada do Apodi (CE), em área com variações na profundidade do solo. Os tratamentos foram sítios (locais) em diferentes classes de micro-relevo (côncavo, convexo e retilíneo) que abrangeram quatro profundidades de solo: A) 0,92 m; B) 0,77 m; C) 0,65 m; D) 0,52 m. Foram avaliados: altura da planta mãe (APM), altura da planta filha (APF), diâmetro do pseudocaule da planta mãe (DPPM), massa de folhas frescas (MFF) e secas (MFS), teores de fósforo (P), potássio (K), cálcio (Ca), enxofre (S) e sódio (Na) no tecido vegetal e massa dos cachos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com sete repetições para avaliações de crescimento e cinco repetições para avaliações referentes à massa de folhas, estado nutricional e produção. A análise estatística foi feita pela ANOVA e DMS a 5% de significância. APM e DPPM foram maiores em A e C, enquanto que menores médias ocorreram no solo mais raso (D). MFF e MFS foram superiores em A e D que também apresentaram maior acúmulo de nutrientes nas folhas. Entretanto, maiores teores foliares e níveis adequados de P ocorreram em A, que também apresentou maior massa de cachos em relação aos solos mais rasos. Isto mostra que a profundidade efetiva do solo e o micro-relevo influenciam a absorção de nutrientes, o crescimento e o potencial produtivo de bananeiras irrigadas na Chapada do Apodi. Palavras-chave -Musa sp. Profundidade efetiva do solo. Macronutrientes. Semiárido cearense.Abstract -The aim of this research was to verify whether soil depth affects aspects of mineral nutrition and yield potential of irrigated banana plantations. The study was carried out at Apodi Plateau (CE), Brazil, in an area characterized by soil depth variations. The treatments were sites in different microrelief classes (concave, convex and retilinea) with four different soil depths: A) 0.92 m; B) 0.77 m; C) 0.6 5m; D) 0.52 m. The following measures were done: high of mother plant (APM), high of daughter plant (APF), pseudosterm diameter of mother plant (DPPM), weight of fresh (MFF) and dry leaves (MFS), contents of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S) and sodium (Na) in plant tissue and bunch weight. Data were submitted to ANOVA and to least significant differences (LSD) with 5% of significance. APM and DPPM were higher in A and C, while the lower values were found in the shallow soil (D). Values of MFF and MFS were higher in both sites A and D that also presented larger amount of nutrients in plant leaves. However, higher amount and adequate levels of P in plant leaves were observed in the site A, on which plants presented higher bunch weigth. It showed that effective soil depth and soil microrelief have influence in nutrients uptake, plants growth, and productive potential of banana plants irrigated at Apodi Plateau.

high cost and long time required to determine a retention curve by the conventional methods of the richards Chamber and haines Funnel limit its use; therefore, alternative methods to facilitate this routine are needed. The filter paper method to determine the soil water retention curve was evaluated and compared to the conventional method. undisturbed samples were collected from five different soils. Using a Haines Funnel and Richards Chamber, moisture content was obtained for tensions of 2; 4; 6; 8; 10; 33; 100; 300; 700; and 1,500 kPa. in the filter paper test, the soil matric potential was obtained from the filter-paper calibration equation, and the moisture subsequently determined based on the gravimetric difference. The van Genuchten model was fitted to the observed data of soil matric potential versus moisture. Moisture values of the conventional and the filter paper methods, estimated by the van Genuchten model, were compared. The filter paper method, with R² of 0.99, can be used to determine water retention curves of agricultural soils as an alternative to the conventional method.

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