Edvaldo Sagrilo

Edvaldo is a Brazilian agronomist. He obtained his BSc in Agronomy in 1998 from the Maringá University (Brazil) and his MSc in Plant Production in 2001 also from the Maringá University. Since 2001 he has been working as a researcher at EMBRAPA Mid-North on sustainable crop production and soil management practices. His major research areas are related to: a) soil chemical and biological quality; b) crop physiology and management and; c) agro-ecological systems. He is funded by Embrapa for his PhD studies, and is linked to the Terra Preta program. Edvaldo obtained his PhD. from Wageningen University in December 2014.

Short description of PhD thesis

Biochar can decrease decomposition of native soil C and increase incorporation of added organic matter, with long-term positive effects on SOM stabilization. Moreover, biochar increases soil P availability possibly through changes in CEC and pH. However, little is known about interactions between biochar and green manure on SOM, between biochar and fertilizers on P dynamics, and the role of soil biology following biochar applications in soil fertility enhancement. The aim of this research is to explain the effects of biochar on soil fertility in tropical agro-ecosystems in north-eastern Brazil. Four experiments will be carried out. In the first experiment, interactions between biochar rates, green manure and PK fertilizer will be evaluated in a maize + cowpea intercrop over 4 years. In the second experiment, interactions between biochar rates and P fertilizer will be evaluated over 4 successive soybean crops. In the third experiment, we will investigate the effect of biochar and P and their interactions on root symbionts, by using three crops (amaranthus, maize and soybean) with contrasting symbiotic patterns. In the fourth (field) experiment, we will use litter bags containing old and young biochar, with an external source of organic C, in order to investigate possible priming effects of biochar. Data on plant performance, soil fertility and soil biological activity will be recorded and submitted to conventional statistical procedures. Path Analysis will be performed in order to test mutual causal effects of dependent variables. Finally long-term estimations of SOM dynamics after biochar addition will be performed.

Recent publications

Sagrilo, E., Jeffery, S., Hoffland, E., and Kuyper, T. W. (2015). Emission of CO2 from biochar-amended soils and implications for soil organic carbon. GCB Bioenergy 7: 1294-1304.

Sagrilo, E., Rittl, T. F., Hoffland, E., Alves, B. J. R., Mehl, H. U., and Kuyper, T. W. (2015). Rapid decomposition of traditionally produced biochar in an Oxisol under savannah in Northeastern Brazil. Geoderma Regional 6: 1-6.

Sagrilo E, Leite LFC, Maciel GA. In press. Soil organic matter as affected by green manure at Brazilian conditions. Dynamic Soil, Dynamic Plant 5.

Leite LFC, Freitas RCA, Sagrilo E, Galvão SRS. 2010 .Decomposition and nutrients release from crop residues placed on a yellow latosol in the savanna of the Maranhão State. Revista Ciência Agronômica 41: 29-35.

Sagrilo E, Vidigal Filho PS, Otsubo AA, Silva AS, Rohden VS. 2010. Performance of cassava cultivars in the Ivinhema Valley, Mato Grosso do Sul State. Revista Ceres 57: 87-94.

Leite LFC, Sagrilo E, Galvão SRS, Maciel GA. 2009. Carbon sequestration in no-tillage systems on tropical soils of Brazil. In: Earl T. Nardali. (Org.). No-till farming: effects on soil, pros and cons and potential. 1 ed. New York: Nova Science Publishers, p. 123-156.

Sagrilo E, Vidigal Filho PS, Pequeno MG, Vidigal MCG, Kvitschal MV. 2008. Dry matter production and distribution in three cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars during the second vegetative plant cycle. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 51: 1079-1087.