Soil fertility management for sustainable agricultural production

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world leaders in agricultural production. Despite the low fertility of Brazilian soils, due to the high weathering, technologies have been developed over time that have made the country able to dominate tropical agriculture, transforming poor soils, unsuitable for agriculture, in productive ones. The objective of this study was to demonstrate how the crop system, integrated into the management of correctives, conditioners and fertilization, can positively influence soil fertility, with impact on the physical, chemical and biological components, aiming at a more sustainable agricultural production, considering the economic, environmental and social pillars. Therefore, the soil management systems capable of modifying their chemical, physical and biological attributes are presented and discussed. The correct process of sampling of soils are also presented, aiming to evaluate
their fertility, the effects of correctives and conditioners in the improvement of their quality, as well as the new perspectives of calculation to define the rates to be applied, and the “4R Nutrient Stewardship”, which aims at the most efficient use of fertilizers, based on the principle of applying the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and at the right place. The integration of these technologies or concepts undoubtedly allows the increase and maintenance of soil fertility at a sufficient level so that agricultural production is sustainable, but with high levels of productivity.