Rock Biofertilizers with Acidithiobacillus on Sugarcane Yield and Nutrient Uptake in a Brazilian Soil

The experiment was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effects of biofertilizers with phosphate and potash rocks and soluble fertilizers (Triple super phosphate and potassium chloride) in chemical attributes of a Brazilian tableland soil grown with sugarcane. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized factorial design 2 × 4 × 3 + 1, with four replicates. Two varieties of sugarcane, three sources of P and K mixture (natural apatite + natural biotite; P + K biofertilizers with Acidithiobacillus and P + K chemical fertilizers) were applied in four levels. A control treatment with no P and K fertilization (P₀K₀) was added for comparative purposes. Significant differences between varieties were observed in all analyzed parameters, with better results when applied the recommended levels of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers. Stalk fresh matter increased with fertilizers and biofertilizers applications, especially when applied in levels near recommendation. Total N, total P and total K in stalk dry matter increased significantly when biofertilizers were applied. The results indicate potential use of biofertilizers that may be used as P source; however, long-term studies are necessary due to soil pH reductions and its possible adverse effects.