Cotton yield and boron dynamics affected by cover crops and boron fertilization in a tropical sandy soil

Autor(es)

dos Santos Cordeiro, Luis Fernando ; dos Santos Cordeiro, Carlos Felipe ; Ferrari, Samuel

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: FIELD CROPS RESEARCH; v. 284, p. 8-pg., 2022-05-21.

Resumo

Cover crops may affect diversely boron (B) availability and cotton yield, especially in tropical sandy soils. In turn, B fertilizer rates required by cotton can be dependent on the use of cover crops. This study aimed to evaluate cotton yield, soil-plant B dynamics, and soil fertility as a function of cover crops (fallow, millet, black velvet bean, and millet+ black velvet bean) and B fertilization rates (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 kg ha(-1)). The experiment was carried out at the field in two crop seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021), in Dracena, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Cover crops increased cotton fiber yields by 47% compared to fallow soil (average two crops), as well as improved B cycling and soil fertility. Proper B rates increased cotton fiber yield by 18%. A maximum cotton fiber yield was reached at 4 kg B ha(-1) (millet + black velvet bean), 2 kg B ha(-1) (black velvet bean) in the 2020/2021 crop season, and 1 kg B ha(-1) in the other system. Critical levels of leaf B ranged from 12 to 16 mg kg(-1). Maximum B uptakes were 182 and 232 g B ha(-1) in the first and second crop seasons, respectively. Boron application and cover crops increased B contents in the soil, but it was below 0.6 mg B dm(-3) in the topsoil. When associated with B fertilization, cover crops, especially the intercropping between millet and black velvet bean, improved soil fertility, plant nutrition, and cotton fiber yields in the tropical sandy soil. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/04584-3 - Plantas de cobertura e adubação boratada no algodoeiro cultivado em solo arenoso
• Beneficiário: Luis Fernando dos Santos Cordeiro
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica