Effects of surface application of dolomitic limestone and calcium-magnesium silicate on soybean and maize in rotation with green manure in a tropical region

Although lime is currently the material most frequently used to ameliorate soil acidity in Brazil, silicate could efficiently replace this source because of its greater solubility and its greater silicon content, which are beneficial for plant development. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of superficial lime and silicate application on soil chemical attributes as well as on soybean and maize nutrition and grain yields when these crops are grown in rotation with green manure. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with sixteen replicates. Plots were treated with one of two materials for acidity correction (dolomitic lime and calcium/magnesium silicate) or with no soil correction, as a control. Silicate corrected soil acidity and increased exchangeable base levels in soil at greater depths faster than does liming. The application of both acidity-correcting materials increased N, Ca and Mg leaf concentrations, and all yield components and grain yield in soybean; but in maize, just silicate also increased N and Si when compared with lime, whereas both acidity-correcting increased just two yield components: grains per ear and mass of 100 grains, resulting in highest grain yield. The application of both acidity-correcting materials increased dry matter production of green manures, but for pigeon pea the silicate provided the best result in this dry-winter region.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ)Embrapa Amapá, Transferência de TecnologiaUniversidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Departamento de Produção VegetalUniversidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Departamento de Produção VegetalFAPESP: 2006/01705-

Determination of authenticity of Palmyrah toddy using chemical tests

Palmyrah toddy is one of the alcoholic drinks prepared by the fermentation of sweet sap of Palmyrah tree (<i>Borassus flabellifer</i>). There are, however, some adulterated toddy samples available in the local market. This study was focused to identify the authenticity of Palmyrah toddy using chemical tests. Chloral hydrate and starch were only present in artificial toddy samples and they had higher alcohol contents (5.5 - 6.2 % v/v), turbidity (2025-2511 NTU) and yeast count (20.8 x 10<sup>6</sup> - 25.2 x 10<sup>6</sup> cells/mL) than the genuine toddy samples (3.9- 4.2 % v/v), (798 - 1023 NTU) and (15.9 x 10<sup>6</sup> - 16.5 x 10<sup>6</sup> cells/mL) respectively, while there is no significant difference between genuine and artificial toddy in °Brix, acidity and conductivity. Results reveal that the total phenol content of genuine toddy samples were in the range of 815.9-861.8 ppm while artificial toddy samples were 388.2-412.6 ppm. Nearly 50% lower total phenol content in artificial toddy than in genuine toddy. Sulfated ash contents of genuine toddy samples were found to be in the range of 0.45 to 0.52 g/100 mL and artificial toddy showed higher range from 0.05 to 0.10 g/100 mL compared to genuine toddy. This study reveals that total phenol content, sulfated ash and qualitative tests are the most reliable to distinguish artificial toddy samples