Autoria: BERNARDI, A. C. de C.; OLIVEIRA, P. P. A.; MONTE, M. B. de; POLIDORO, J. C.; SOUZA-BARROS, F.

Resumo: Zeolites are hydrated crystalline aluminosilicate minerals of alkaline and alkaline earth metals, structured in rigid three dimension nets, organized by AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedral and are of natural occurrence. This report describes the characterization and application of the Brazilian zeolitic sedimentary rock as a release fertilizer and soil conditioner. The characterization of the head samples showed that it is composed of the zeolite stilbite intermixed with a smectitic clay mineral, and quartz. A low-cost quartz separation technique was established. Enrichment of concentrated natural zeolite was carried out: zeolite + KNO3, zeolite + K2HPO4 and zeolite + H3PO4 + apatite and the concentrated zeolite. These materials were tested with Rangpur lime rootstock and an experiment was also carried out with successive crops grown on the same substrate: lettuce, tomato, rice, and Andropogon grass. The results indicated that N, P and K enriched zeolite was an adequate slow-release source of nutrients to plants. Other green house and field experiments with concentrated zeolite applied with urea showed reduction of losses of ammonia by volatilization and improved in N use efficiency by maize. Concentrated zeolite also increased water retention and the available water capacity of a sand soil.

Ano de publicação: 2010

Tipo de publicação: Artigo em anais e proceedings

Unidade: Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste

Palavras-chave: N losses, Slow-release fertilizer, Stilbite, Water retention curve, Zeolite, available water capacity