Diagnosis of soil fertility in the Marau-RS mesoregion

Abstract

Some innovations such as genetic improvement, pest and disease control, are just some examples of technologies that are being used in agriculture. In the same vein, many studies have been carried out on the fertility of cultivated soils and on its interference in plant nutrition and productivity. Another important factor that has been contributing is the diagnosis of agricultural producers on soil fertility and also on the real nutritional needs of plants. The present work aims to analyze the soil fertility of the Mesoregion of the municipality of Marau, by interpreting soil analysis and also to diagnose the use of fertilizers and correctives in crops. For that, chemical analysis of soils were used and questionnaires were applied to farmers. It is concluded that most producers know the real importance of soil analysis, but not all use it in decision making regarding fertilization of crops. The calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents are high, however, in some cases, the low pH and the potassium (K) content below the critical level are limiting factors for high productivity.