Applied science and field results mark Abisolo Summit

The Smart Plant Nutrition Summit, promoted by the Brazilian Association of Plant Production Technology Industries (Abisolo), brought together researchers and agricultural professionals on June 9th and 10th at Pecege, in Piracicaba (SP), to discuss how science, technology, and field results can increase nutritional efficiency in tropical soils.

In his opening remarks, the president of the Abisolo Deliberative Council, Roberto Levrero, highlighted the role of technology in a scenario of multiple pressures on agriculture. “Technology has ceased to be a facilitator and has become vital infrastructure for human development. Our sector is synonymous with technology applied to tropical agriculture, with research, innovation, and sustainability in the DNA of our member companies,” he stated.

Phosphorus, biological factors, and efficiency in tropical soils.

The technical program began with Embrapa researcher Christiane Abreu de Oliveira Paiva, who addressed the topic "Phosphorus inoculants: phosphate solubilizers and plant growth promoters." She detailed how phosphorus-solubilizing and mineralizing microorganisms can increase the availability of this nutrient in highly weathered soils.

“In many cases, of 100 kg of phosphate fertilizer applied, only about 20% is effectively used by the plants. Solubilizing microorganisms act precisely at this point, making this phosphorus more available in the root zone through biological mechanisms,” explained Christiane. Results from more than 20 years of research have shown consistent productivity gains in corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and beans when inoculants are used within an integrated soil and fertilization management system.

Organic and organomineral matrix under analysis

Next, Professor Carlos Alexandre Crusciol discussed "Interference of the organic matrix in nutrient absorption," focusing on organomineral fertilizers and the role of humic substances. He emphasized that the efficiency of these products depends directly on the quality and concentration of the organic fraction used.

In his lecture, the professor presented results from a series of studies conducted in different locations, evaluating the equivalence and possibility of reducing the dose of organomineral fertilizers compared to mineral fertilizers in sugarcane. “In several experiments, the dose corresponding to 70% of the mineral fertilization, in organomineral form, showed agronomic performance similar to the full dose of mineral fertilizer, but these results refer to one-year trials,” Crusciol highlighted. He drew attention to the need for long-term studies to confirm to what extent this dose reduction is sustainable, without compromising nutrient reserves in the soil.   

Waste, composting and humic substances

Agricultural engineer and professor Brener Magnabosco Marra discussed "Benefits of organic fertilizers on soil humic substances," connecting the use of waste, circular economy, and bio-inputs. He argued that treated agro-industrial and urban waste should be viewed as strategic co-products, not as an environmental liability.

“We need to look at the soil as a living system. Organic matter acts as a large 'all-inclusive resort' for microorganisms, increasing metabolic activity, nutrient cycling, and creating a more balanced environment for plant development,” said Brener. He reinforced that well-conducted composting, with high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and stable carbon, combined with quality humic extracts, can reduce nutrient losses, increase resilience to drought and heat, and complement the use of mineral fertilizers.

Current trends in foliar fertilization

Directly from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, scientist Victoria Fernández presented the lecture "Current Trends in Foliar Fertilization," providing a global overview of foliar spraying with fertilizers and biofertilizers, now also applicable to major crops such as soybeans, corn, and sugarcane.

“Our intention is to combine fundamental scientific knowledge about the absorption of fertilizers and biofertilizers with real-world production scenarios. New findings on the deliquescence point of solutions show that temperature and humidity completely change the foliar absorption window. This needs to be incorporated into field recommendations,” she emphasized. Victoria also highlighted the importance of knowing the leaf surface – cuticle, waxes, and stomata – to adjust formulations, adjuvants, and ideal application conditions.

Physiology, adaptation and special fertilizers

Concluding the technical section, Professor Átila Mógor, from the Federal University of Paraná, addressed "Plant adaptation to nutrient availability and the use of special fertilizers." He showed how plants perceive and respond to nutrient fluctuations, adjusting root architecture, the expression of transporters, and internal metabolism.

“Plant nutrition is not a static process. The plant continuously interprets environmental conditions and adjusts its metabolism to maintain nutritional homeostasis and sustain growth,” explained Mógor. According to him, biofertilizers, organomineral fertilizers, and controlled-release products can act in this “fine-tuning” of metabolism, provided they are positioned in harmony with the plant's physiology and integrated into a well-structured soil management system.

Closure and next steps

At the end of the Summit, Marcelo Santos, advisor to Abisolo, assessed that the event fulfilled its role of bringing research and the field closer together at a challenging time for fertilization in Brazil.