No-till corn performance in response to P and fertilization modes

Abstract

No-tillage systems provide soil changes that affect nutrient dynamics, hence, changing rates and forms of fertilizer application. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of phosphorus (P) and modes of nitrogen (N) and P application in corn under long-term no-tillage in a clayey Oxisol. Two experiments were carried out in the same experimental area and in the same year, in a randomized blocks design with four replications. In experiment I, the treatments consisted of five doses of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1 of P2O5) applied in the sowing furrow. In experiment II, the treatments consisted of the N and P application modes (topdressing, in the sowing furrow and control - without N and P). Experiment I evaluated the root length, P uptake and grain yield and, the Experiment II, the firing height and yield. The P rates provided linear increases in root length in the 0-10 cm layer, P uptake and grain production. The different modes of application provided differences in the firing height and corn yield. The control treatment (0 kg ha-1 of N and P) provided the highest firing height, superior than those of topdressing and application in the furrow, which were not significantly different. The topdress application of N and P provided an increase in corn yield that exceeded 16 and 42% of the application in the furrow and the control, respectively. Thus, the results confirmed that increasing rates of P2O5, in soil with high initial P content, influence positively corn production factors, but with little significant responses, and the topdress application of N and P on soil with high P content, without water restriction, provided increased grain yield in relation to the application in the furrow.

Diffusion and uptake of phosphorus, and root development of corn seedlings, in three contrasting subtropical soils under conventional tillage or no-tillage

“…Soil management also influences P mobility in soil. Thus, Sá et al (2013) found corn yields higher in an Oxisol under no-tillage (NT) when fertilizers were applied on the soil surface in comparison to furrow application; by contrast, Prado and Fernandes (2001) observed the opposite.…”

Relationships between Doses and Application Methods of Phosphorus and Corn Nutrition Status and Grain Yield

“…The topdress application was the most responsive, providing a yield of 10,717 kg ha −1 in comparison with 9,240 kg ha −1 obtained by the application in the furrow. The control treatment gave the lowest yield (7,542 kg ha −1 ) (Sá, Briedis, and Ferreira 2013).…”

“…Much has to be studied regarding doses and modes of application of P, in a no-tillage system. According to Sá, Briedis, and Ferreira (2013) it is still controversial among researchers a conclusion on this subject. Costa (2008) mentioned to be difficult to identify the mode of application of phosphorus that is the most efficient, since its efficiency is dependent on factors as: soil type, dose to be applied, soil phosphorus content, and row spacing.…”

Métodos de aplicação e fontes de fertilizantes para a cultura da soja

“…Sá et al (2013), investigando o efeito do modo de aplicação do fertilizante nitrogenado e fosfatado na cultura do milho sob plantio direto, encontraram melhor resposta na fertilização a lanço de P. Motomiya et al (2004) sugerem que a fonte utilizada influencia a eficiência da fertilização, apresentando resultados distintos dependendo da fonte e manejo adotados. Neste sentido, alguns pesquisadores têm sugerido que a nitrificação do NH 4 + -N, presente em fontes como o MAP e DAP, para NO 3 --N (acarretando na diminuição do pH em volta do granulo fertilizante no solo) e a absorção de NH 4 + -N (a qual aumenta a acidez da rizosfera) poderia aumentar a dissolução de precipitados compostos Ca-P (Chien et al, 2011).…”