A field experiments was conducted during four consecutive years (1995/96 to 1998/99) to evaluate responses of upland rice, dry bean, corn, and soybean grown in sequence to base saturation on a Dark Red Latosol (Oxisol). Mean base saturation levels determined after harvest of each crop were: 40, 44, 51, 53, 56, and 66%. Grain yield of dry bean, corn, and soybean were significantly affected with base saturation. Upland rice yield, however, was not influenced with base saturation treatments. Based on the quadratic response, optimum base saturation for maximum grain yield of dry bean was 53%, for corn 60% and for soybean 63%. For upland rice the base saturation under no lime treatment was 40%, which is considered adequate. Nutrient accumulation was significantly influenced by different base saturation treatments as well as by the age of the four crops. Adequate levels of soil chemical properties, such as pH, contents of Ca and Mg, ratio of Ca/Mg, ratio of Ca/K, ratio of Mg/K, Ca saturation, Mg saturation and K saturation were established for upland rice, dry bean, corn and soybean grown in cerrado soil.
soil acidity; accumulation of nutrients; dark red latosol; grain yield
