Degradation of residues and food activity in soils with biological activation

Soil biological activity is a key component for maintaining crop production sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral fertilization (phosphorus and potassium) and soil and plant bioactivation (Penergetic technology) in agricultural crops by assessing food consumption of fauna and edaphic microorganisms. The tests were conducted on soybean (summer) and wheat (winter) crops subjected to different forms of fertilization and application of bioactivator. To assess food consumption in experimental plots, was used the bait-lamina methodology. The bait-laminas remained in the soil for 21 days. The percentages of empty, partially empty and full holes were evaluated in two soil layers: 0 to 8 and 9 to 16 cm deep, in addition to attributing scores to the pattern of food consumption. Principal component analyses were performed (PCA) using the feeding activity results, food consumption scores, crop yields and basal respiration. The combined use of bioactivator with phosphorus and potassium mineral fertilizer promoted a significant effect on feeding activity of fauna and micro-organisms present in the 0-8 cm soil layer in the soybean crop. There was no significant effect of soil fertilization and bioactivator on soil biological activity in the winter crop (wheat).