REPORT OF 2005 GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ ACTIVITIES

1. Executive Summary
The GDT (Group for Development of Technology) – POTAFOS/ESALQ is composed with 12 undergraduate students supervised by Dr. Tsuioshi Yamada, POTAFOS and by Professor Paulo R. C. C. Castro, ESALQ. The coordination of the GDT was done by Eduardo Masakazu Kawakami, undergraduate student of the 5th year of the Agronomy Course. The group main objective is to develop agriculture with the SASMEY (Sustainable Agricultural System with Maximum Economic Yield) concept. And to achieve that, we worked in many scientific experiments and extension activities during the year 2005.

2. Report of individual activities

2.1 Eduardo Kawakami
In the year 2005, I was responsible for coordinating the GDT, so indirectly I had participation in most of all activities done by the group. Also, I had the opportunity to visit many farms with the objective to start new projects and to bring additional information to the students. In these visits I could contact with the agriculture of other states as: MT, PR, MS, BA, MG and GO. This year wasn’t a good year for Brazilian farmers, their business rentability dropped causing some difficulties for them. But in other hand this situation is a good example to emphasize that the current system of production is not sustainable and needs to be changed. So that gives more support and credit to our work.

2.1.1 Farms:
• Yamaguishi farm : Fertilization and weed management in citrus, located in Conchal-SP.
Actions and results: Working with our management since 2002, the farm could increase its production in almost 50%, from 2003 to 2005. Estimate for 2006 indicates a total production of 600,000 boxes (of 40 kg each), the double of the obtained in 2003, a clear indication of the sustainability of the system we are woriking with.

· Guapirama farm:
Fertilization management in soybean, maize and cotton, located in Campo Novo dos Parecis - MT
Actions: In this farm, our job was focused in the correction of the soil fertility. Since it was opened just recently, the main task was the correction of the soil acidity and the P and K levels in the soil.

· Morinaga farm
Fertilization management in soybean, maize and cotton, located in Correntina - BA.
Actions and results: In this farm we worked with the correction of K levels in the soil. This year goal was to increase K saturation up to 3% of the CEC. And to reach 4% in the two next years. As phosphorus soil content was satisfactory, we equilibrated the fertilization, trying to apply K in higher doses than they used in the past. Despite the drought, our maize overcame the stress with much less damage than the check plot. In soybean and cotton, the use of balanced fertilization was very important for their survival, because we decreased production costs without any yield reduction.

2.1.2 Field activities:
· Utilization of effective microorganisms (EM-4) to accelerate the decomposition of the mulch, to increase microorganism diversity and to control pests and diseases in citrus orchard.
Results: This experiment showed that those microorganisms can help in the decomposition of the mulch. Researchers from Mokiti Okada Foundation, who developed this product, visited the farm and observed that these microorganisms are helping on mulch mineralization.

Mulch in citrus Mulch inoculated with EM-4

· Testing different types of green manure (leguminous plants)
Actions and results: In these tests we didn’t have success with the stylosanthes. We observed that Crotalaria juncea is a good cover plant when in the begining of the orchard formation process. So, we want to have the Crotalaria juncea, in the first two years of the citrus, not only as a cover crop but also as a wind breaker. The next step will be to learn how to introduce Arachis pintoi in our production system..

Crotalaria juncea Arachis pintoi

· Testing (K.Mg)SO₄ in citrus
Actions and resuts: The (KMg)SO₄ have shown as a good source of magnesium. With few exceptions in almost all blocks where we applied this product we observed increase in magnesium levels, not only in the soil but also in the leaves. So we believe that (KMg)SO₄ can be of great help to solve magnesium deficiency problem, which is very common in our orchards.

· Testing gypsum doses for citrus orchard.
Results: The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of gypsum doses on citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Although it is too early for a final conclusion, visually it seems that 8 ton/ha is a good dose to work with in a soil like in this orchard with 30% clay content. This experiment will be harvested by the end of this year (2006), when will be possible to have concretes results.

· Different periods of N and K fertilization in maize.
Results: In this trial we applied nitrogen and potassium before planting, and not after planting as usually done. The average yield of the entire trial was 12.70 ton/ha. The best treatment which produced 13,78 ton/ha, was planted with 40 cm row width and received 400 kg/ha of 25-00-25 and 120 kg/ha ammonium sulfate before planting and 660 kg/ha of 10-25-05 at planting is an indication that with better fertility management we can reach yield level similar to the ones obtained by the American farmers .

· Formulation with high Mn concentration for soybean and maize for basal application.
Results: Performance of corn and soybean with 2-3 kg/ha of Mn are corroborating to Barney Gordon results in USA. Visually soybean seems to better resist to rust. And according to the farmer he never had a corn with such yield as the one is expeting to have of around 12 t/ha.

· Testing (K.Mg)SO₄ in soybean
Results: The soybean that was treated with (K.Mg)SO₄ had a better development and it became taller than the check. And also it had a better resistance to drought season that we had in January 2006. Similar results were also observed in cotton. The trial was not harvested yet.

2.2 Fabrizzio Cantagallo

The establishment of a sustainable agricultural system with maximum economic yield (SASMEY) in citrus orchards, was extremely important to the survival of a 12 producers group in the city of Pirassununga - SP. In this year of 2005, as a student, I had the chance to work with 6 of these producers, guiding their sustainable evolution of the orchards and carrying out some tests for the improvement of this system.Due to my academic records and my work with Potafos I could be hired by AGR Agricultura de Precisão, representative in Brazil of Raven Precision Solutions, which gave me a week training in the States.

2.2.1 Farms Management:
I worked with 6 producers in 7 different farms:
· Sítio da Serra, located in Pirassununga - SP
· Água Branca Farm, located in Pirassununga - SP
· Sítio Tebosa, located in Pirassununga - SP
· Floresta Farm , located in Pirassununga - SP
· Nossa Senhora Aparecida farm, located in Mococa-SP.
· Santa Helena, located in Alterosa-MG
· Barra Aberta farm, located in Alterosa-MG.

2.2.2 Field activities:
· Effective microorganisms (EM-4): The main objective of this experiment is to increase the biological diversity of the microorganism found in the soil. Accelerating the mulch process of decomposition and on the leaves, we are hoping to turn the citrus orchards less attractive for pests and diseases. This experiment has the main objective to become our system more sustainable and balanced.
· Test with different green manure in citrus orchards: In the SASMEY, the use of grass plants in the orchard has had the important task of increasing organic matter in the system as well as recycling nutrients. With this, we started an experiment to test 10 types of cover plants, including leguminous and gramineas.

2.2.3 Scientific Experiments:
· Relation between the effects of herbicide glyphosate and the development of fungus Phytophthora nicotineae, in lemon cravo (limonia C. Osbeck).

2.3 Maurício Okubo

In 2005 the establishment of a sustainable agricultural system with maximum economic yield (SASMEY) in citrus orchards was extremely important for a group of 12 producers in the city of Pirassununga – SP (GDT – Pirassununga) being consulted by me and Alberto. I worked with 6 of these producers and I observed that the orchards are getting better and I am sure that the sustainable management is going to be adopted by whole Brazilian citrus farms in just few more years. It is estimated that around 60-70% of our citrus growers have already changed to the new management system proposed by Potafos. After May 01, 2006 I will be replacing Eduardo Kawakami, as the coordinator of GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ.

2.3.1 Farm Management:
I worked with 6 producers in 6 different farms, all located in Pirassununga - SP:
· Granja Gustavão farm,
· Candeia farm,
· Sítio Recanto dos Pássaros farm,
· Santa Tereza farm,
· Sítio Santana farm,
· São Benedito farm.

2.3.2 Field Activities:
· Effective microorganisms (EM-4): The main objective of this experiment is to increase the biological diversity of the microorganism found in the soil. Accelerating the process of mulch and leaves decomposition, we are hoping to increase nitrate nitrogen supply in the soil solution and thus to increase cation (mostly K) uptake by plants.
· Test with different green manure in citrus orchards: In the SASMEY, the use of grass plants in the orchard has had the important task of increasing organic matter in the system as well as recycling nutrients. With this, we started an experiment to test 10 types of cover plants, including leguminous and gramineas.
· Test with different manganese sources: The sources were MnSO4, MnCl2, MnCO3. The objective is to evaluate which source is better absorbed by the leaves of the plants and to quantify the manganese in the leaves after the application. This test is being done because of the great importance of manganese in plants natural defense against diseases.


2.3.3 Scientific Experiments

· Effects of different periods of pre-sowing desiccation in soybeans
· Effects of different concentrations of glyphosate in wheat germination.

2.3.4 Activities planned for 2006
· Consultancy on Sustainable Management: a more detailed work with selected citrus and coffee growers.
· Coordination of the activities of the GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ members which will be directed to: (1). continuation of the efforts on SASMEY management of citrus and coffee, (2). experiments on coffee fertilization with K and Mg sources, and (3). demonstration plots for high yielding soybean and corn.

2.4 Alberto Henrique Ricordi

The establishment of a sustainable agricultural system with maximum economic yield (SASMEY ) was extremely important to the survival of citrus producers. In this year of 2005, as a student, I had the chance to work with some of them:

2.4.1 Farms Management
· Taiuva –SP
In the city of Taiuva- SP, from January to July, myself and Carlos Sichieri had the chance to work with one producer. In this farm we followed the planting of brachiaria, as cover plant, and made the fertilizer recommendation.
· Pirassununga Group
With Fabrizzio, since October I accompanied him in the visits to the farms of the GDT Pirassununga. My sub-group is composed by 6 producers in 7 different farms: Sítio da Serra, Água Branca Farm, Sítio Tebosa and Floresta Farm located in the city of Pirassununga-SP, Nossa Senhora Aparecida farm in Mococa-SP and Santa Helena and Barra Aberta farms in Alterosa-MG.

2.4.2 Field activities
· Effective microorganisms (EM-4): Utilization of effective microorganisms (EM-4) to accelerate the decomposition of the mulch, to increase microorganisms diversity, to better supply nitrate nitrogen to plants and to control pests and diseases in citrus orchard.
· Test with different green manure in citrus orchards: In the SASMEY, the use of grass plants in the orchard has had the important task of increasing organic matter in the system as well as recycling nutrients. With this, we started an experiment to test 10 types of cover plants, including leguminous and gramineas.

2.4.3 Scientific Experiments
· Effects of glyphosate in RR soybean
· Effects of different glyphosate doses in pre-sowing desiccation on mycorrhiza establishment in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
· Glyphosate effects on sugarcane mycorrhiza colonization

2.4.4 Activities planned for 2006
· Effect of glyphosate on RR soybean nodulation: we will repeat the experiment done in 2005, with Alonso, but using different genotypes.
· Effect of glyphosate applied in to the soil or in the leaves of sugarcane, on dry matter, production and mycorrhiza colonization.
· GDT Pirassununga: (1). experiment with “Efficient Microorganisms” (EM-4), in order to increase microbial flora and acelerate mulch decomposition; (2). installations of tensiometers and soil solution nitrogen extractors to test different cover crops being used( Crotalaria juncea, Arachis pintoi, mucuna, brachiaria, millet, stylosanthes.

2.5 Carlos E. Kimoto

During the year of 2005, I worked in the extension program established between GDT-POTAFOS and the farms (Yamaguishi farm for citrus and Santa Alice farm for soybean and corn).

2.5.1 Farms Management
· Yamaguishi farm (jointly with Eduardo Kawakami)
Fertilization and weed management in citrus, located in Conchal-SP.
· Santa Alice farm
Fertilization management in soybean and maize, located in Campo Mourão-PR: best corn plot yielded 13.7 t/ha, most of the plots over 12 t/ha; soybean fields producing around 3,960 kg/ha (66 bags/ha). Main changes over the traditional management w ith the information accrued from the several years of previous studies: didn't use glyphosate, added Mn in the formulations for corn and soybean and increased N in the corn formulation for planting (14-30-00+1% Mn).

2.5.2 Field activities:
· Utilization of effective microorganisms (EM-4) to accelerate the decomposition of the mulch, to increase microorganisms diversity, to better supply nitrate nitrogen to plants and to control pests and diseases in citrus orchard.
· Utilization of gypsum in citrus orchard.
· Different periods of N and K fertilization in maize.
· Formulation with high Mn concentration for soybean and maize applied at sowing.

2.5.3 Activities planned for 2006:
• Yamaguishi Farm: follow-up of farm routine activities on sustainable management.
• Farm Santa Alice (Campo Mourão-PR): Management system for 12-15 t/ha corn and 80 bags/ha (4.8 t/ha) soybean.
• With Baltazar Fiomari, GDT Uberlândia: as part of my ESALQ academic curriculum will stay during the 2nd semester visiting the farms being consulted by Baltazar.
2.6 Carlos E. Sichieri

In 2005 I worked in the regions of Matão-SP, Itapolis-SP and Taiuva-SP, for the establishment of the Sustainable Agricultural System with Maximum Economic Yield (SASMEY) in citrus orchards.

2.6.1 Farms Management
I worked with 2 producers in 3 different farms:
· Tripolitanea farm, located in Itapolis-SP;
· Sítio Corrego da Onça, locate in Matão-SP;
· Sítio Fukuda, located in Taiuva-SP.

2.6.2 Field activities
· Tests of green manure in citrus orchards. I am trying to use stylozanthes, as leguminous cover plant in order to increase nitrogen in the system. Some results: Brachiaria grasses are very easy to introduce, the opposite happening with stylozanthes.
· Experiments with potassium nitrate enriched with micronutrients in citrus. To date no conclusive result.

2.6.3 Scientific experiments
· Relationship between the effects of herbicide glyphosate and the development Phytophthora nicotineaein citrus plants. To date no effect over glyphosate over Phytophthora nicotineaeincidence was observed.


2.6.4 Activities planned for 2006

· Consulting citrus farmers in the state of São Paulo.
· Organizing field days with citrus farmers.
· Experiments in citrus orchards, with gypsum and timing of fertilizer application.
· Practical training during second semester with COINBRA, a leading citrus industry, where I intend to work after graduation.

2.7 Alonso J. Resende Jr.

In 2005, I had the opportunity to visit and to consult a coffee farm in the region of São José do Rio Pardo- SP. And I started the establishment process of a sustainable agricultural system with maximum economic yield (SASMEY), in coffee farms. I was promoted to the position of vice coordinator of GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ starting May 01, 2006..

2.7.1 Farm Management:
I worked at Vila Maria farm in São José do Rio Pardo (500 ha of coffee plantation), proposing better alternatives to improve the management system. I am supervising newly planted block from its beginning, with the correction of the soil fertility and the weed management without herbicide.

2.7.2 Field activities;

• Test of different leguminous plant for nitrogen fixation and organic matter production.
• Experiment with chicken residues, using EM4 (effective microorganisms) and gypsum to reduce nitrogen volatilization.

2.7.3 Scientific experiments planned for 2006:
· Evaluate the effects of two weed managements (glyphosate applied in total area and ecological mower), two potash sources (KCl and (K.Mg)SO4) and two gypsum doses (0 and 4 ton) on quality of coffee and productivity.
· Evaluate the effects of two management systems of weeds ( glyphosate applied in total area and ecological mower without herbicide), three sources of N (ammonium nitrate, urea and urea with urease inhibitor) and splitting of N (1, 2, 3 times) on coffee quality and productivity.
· Evaluate the effects of sources of Mg (check, dolomite, MgO, acidified MgO, K-Mag, Mg sulfate) on coffee quality and productivity.

2.7.4 Other activities planned for 2006
· Follow up the experiments in Vila Maria farm.
· Evaluate the results from the experiment with chicken manure.
· Evaluate the effects of fall fertilization on coffee yields.
· Spread SASMEY concept for other coffee growers in Minas Gerais state.

2.8 Flávio Barbosa

In the year 2005, I worked together with Alonso J. Resende Jr. and Victor José Bertanha. As our objective was to start a work with coffee producers, our activities were directed mainly for this crop. After some attempts we began to work with Vila Maria farm located in São José do Rio Pardo-SP and we had improved a lot in the soil fertility and cover crop managements, reflecting in the better (visual) crop health and development.

2.8.1 Farm Management: same as 2.7.1.
2.8.2 Field activities: same as 2.7.2.
2.8.3 Scientific experiments: same as 2.7.3
2.8.4 Other activities planned for 2006: same as 2.7.4 + academic residence in a large agribusiness organization in São Gotardo, MG.
2.9 Victor Bertanha

During the year of 2005, the extension program was very important to start our work, also, with coffee. As citrus program coordinated by the group is doing very well, our goal in coffee is to do the same. I worked together with 2 another students (Alonso and Flávio), we had some difficulties in the beginning, but now we are doing well consulting the Vila Maria farm. Then, in the next year we hope find new coffee farmers, in order to fortify our activities.
2.9.1 Farm Management: same as 2.7.1.
2.9.2 Field activities: same as 2.7.2.
2.9.3 Scientific experiments: same as 2.7.3
2.9.4 Other activities planned for 2006: same as 2.7.4.

In the year 2005, my first year as member of the GDT, I worked in the Vale Formoso Farm, which cultivate peaches, figs and guavas. I started an experiment with different green manure in figs orchards. The experiment was initiated in May and now the experiment is under responsibility of IAC São Paulo State Agronomic Institute. Also, during this year, I had the opportunity to visit and consult citrus orchards in Pirassununga region.

2.10.1 Scientific Experiments:
· Effect of glyphosate applied on Brachiaria ruziziensis (target plant) on non-target Eucalyptus seedlings.


2.10.2 Activities planned for 2006

· Determination and quantification of pests and beneficial insects in orchards with different management (SASMEY and conventional)
· Implantation of biological control of pests in citrus orchards and coffee plantations.
· Management of the fertility in sustainable coffee plantations.
· Management of the fertility in sustainable citrus orchards.
· Identification of soil microbiota under different management.


2.11 Karen M. Ikemori

In 2005, my first year participating in the activities of GDT, I could learn a lot. I am finishing my second year in college, and the information that I got from the group improved a lot my academic life and also my understanding about agronomy.

2.11.1 Glyphosate literature revision:
I worked in the revision of 150 papers about glyphosate, gathered by Dr. Yamada and organized in specific subjects:
- General subjects
- Glyphosate and environment
- Glyphosate and plant nutrition
- Glyphosate and plant physiology

2.11.2 Scientific experiments:

· Effects of different glyphosate doses in pre-sowing desiccation on seedling emergence and plant height of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), 2005. In: 13º SIICUSP, Piracicaba-SP, Brasil.

2.11.3 Activities for 2006

· Field works, following other members of the group, especially with citrus, to improve my knowledge on this crop and try to help producers in order to keep a good production.

2.12 Adriano Terras

I started to work with GDT in the middle of 2005. So I didn’t have many activities, but in other hand I could learn a lot . And now I am starting to understand and trust the new management system that will be applied in future extension activities and scientific experiments.

2.12.1 Activities done in 2005
· Participating in other students’ experiments.
· Participating in field days promoted by the group.
· Visiting farms monitored by the group.

2.12.2 Activities planned for 2006
· Evaluation of biodiversity of insects and microorganisms at the SASMEY managements in citrus orchards.
· Experiments with biological control of pests.

3. GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ Extension Activities

The GDT-POTAFOS ESALQ has been working to promote the SASMEY concept to the farmers. For that purpose, the group is working with several citrus, coffee and grain producers. The idea is to transform those farms as a model for others. Basically we are working on:
· Soil fertility management
· Weed management without herbicide and
· Integrated pest and disease control management
To spread the new technology developed by GDT POTAFOS/ESALQ for citrus, the following field days were promoted in 2005, with an average of 40 participants for each:

Date	GDT
February 2nd	Araras
March 19th	Pirassununga
May 20th	Pirassununga
June 18th	Pirassununga
August 19th	Pirassununga
October 22nd	Pirassununga
November 5th	Matão
December 17th	Pirassununga

4. Research activities:
Will be presented in the files 30.1 onward.

FINAL COMMENT:

The year 2005 was very productive. Finally, we could decode the puzzle of the glyphosate effect in the soil-plant system: how it moves from target to non-target plant, how it acts in the non-target plant, how it affects Mn reducer and oxidizer population in the rhizosphere of plants and how it influences plant resistance against diseases. Although not recognized it was a great achievement. A knowledge that few professionals have or are able to understand. We could reach our goals and at ESALQ we became respected and influential to our professors and colleagues. In 2006 we will continue to work with the SASMEY concept and we will continue doing our best to help more farmers.

Photos field days