EFFECT OF POWDER BASALT ON THE SOIL FERTILITY AND ANNUAL CROP YIELD DURING FOUR CROPPING SEASONS UNDER NO TILLAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

The powder basalt has been used as a source of nutrients in some regions of Brazil. However, there is scarce knowledge about the effects of this product on the soil fertility and crop yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of powder basalt, combined with the presence or absence of chemical fertilization, on the yield of soybean and corn and on some soil chemical properties. An experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications and split plot. In the plots five doses of powder basalt were allocated: 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 ton ha-1, with very fine particle size. In the subplots two fertilization strategies were allocated: with or without chemical fertilization. The following sequence of crops in summer/winter were used: soybean/black oat + common vetch (2009/2010); corn/black oat (2010/2011); soybean/black oat + common vetch (2011/2012 season) and corn (2012/2013). The powder basalt did not affect the productivity of soybeans and corn, with or without chemical fertilization. The powder basalt had little effect on the soil chemical properties