From production to consumption: tracing C, N, and S dynamics in Brazilian agroecosystems using stable isotopes

Authors

  • Phillip Michael Chalk Embrapa Solos, Rua Jardim Botânico, no 1.024, Jardim Botânico, CEP 22460-000 Rio de Janeiro, RJ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2016.v51.22192

Keywords:

biological N2 fixation, fertilizer use efficiency, food science, labeled fertilizer, soil carbon, stable isotopes.

Abstract

Brazilian scientists have played a pioneering role in developing and applying stable isotope methodologies, in terms of natural abundance and enriched levels, to trace carbon and nutrient flows in terrestrial ecosystems, including natural and agroecosystems. Significant contributions have been made in the areas of biological N2 fixation, carbon dynamics in soil, synthesis and evaluation of labeled fertilizers, and food science. These contributions have originated from several decentralized units of Embrapa, from research institutions, and from federal or state universities. In order to capitalize the existing Brazilian expertise, it is necessary to provide, at an institutional level, analytical facilities for stable isotope research, aiming to strengthen national capacity and to maintain the international competitiveness of the research.

Author Biography

Phillip Michael Chalk, Embrapa Solos, Rua Jardim Botânico, no 1.024, Jardim Botânico, CEP 22460-000 Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Phillip Michael Chalk is Bachelor with Honors in Soil Science (1965) and Master (1969) of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland, Australia, Doctor of Philosophy (Soil Science) at the University of Wisconsin, USA (1973), and Doctor of Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne, Australia (1998). He is presently an Honorary Professor at the University of Melbourne and a Visiting Scientist at EMBRAPA-Solos in Rio de Janeiro (2014-15). From 1973-1997 he was a member of the academic staff in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, and from 1997-2004 he was Head of the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Section, of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. Previous awards of Visiting Scientist to Brazil included EMBRAPA-Gado de Corte, Campo Grande MS (1979, IICA); EMBRAPA-Agrobiologia, Seropédica RJ (1979-80, FINEP; 2005-06, CNPq); CENA, Piracicaba SP (1986, CNPq) and EMBRAPA-Solos, Gávea RJ (2010-11, FAPERJ). His expertise is in stable isotope applications and he has published more than 100 papers in books and international journals. In 1996 he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Australian Society of Soil Science for excellence in research and publication.

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Published

2016-10-17

How to Cite

Chalk, P. M. (2016). From production to consumption: tracing C, N, and S dynamics in Brazilian agroecosystems using stable isotopes. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 51(9), 1039–1050. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2016.v51.22192

Issue

v.51, n.9, set. 2016: Número Temático O solo como fator de integração entre os componentes ambientais e a produção agropecuária

Section

REVIEWS