GYPSUM APPLICATIONS TO COFFEE: INFLUENCE ON CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND POTASSIUM CONTENTS AND pH OF THE SOLUTION OF A DYSTROPHIC RED LATOSOL

Unbalanced amounts of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ in soils as a consequence of high gypsum applications can be due to the relationship in size (ionic radius) and charge density (charge/ ionic radius) of each ionic species. The higher the ionic strength, the stronger is the bonding of these cations with the opposite charge ions such as OH-, SO4-2. Thus, excessive gypsum applications, disregarding the charge balance of the soil colloidal system, the ionic balance of the solution, and the CEC, can result in significant leaching of these nutrients throughout the soil profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high gypsum rates (0, 7, and 56 t ha(-1)) on the pH and Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ contents in aqueous soil extracts of a dystrophic Red Latosol with coffee. The soil was sampled in the coffee rows in the following depths: 0.15-0.25; 0.35-0.45; 0.75-0.85; 1.15-1.25, and 2.35-2.45 m, 16 months after gypsum application. The experiment consisted of four treatments: G-0 -2 t ha(-1) of gypsum was applied in total area during soil preparation, with brachiaria between coffee rows; G-7 -same as in G-0 plus 7.0 t ha-1 of gypsum applied to the coffee rows; G-56 -same as in G-0 plus 56 t ha(-1) of gypsum applied to the coffee rows; and CV-7 - same as in G-7 but without brachiaria between the coffee rows. The experiments were conducted in triplicate, in a randomized block design. After 16 months, there was a reduction of the pH of the soil solution in the layers 0.15-0.25, 0.35-0.45, and 0.75-0.85 m. Gypsum improved the root environment in deeper layers, increasing Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentrations in the soil solution, but reduced K+ below 0.85 m. The amounts of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ found in the soil solution were above the critical level while exchangeable K+ was within the range indicated for the crop.