Nitrogen use efficiency in forage yield of tropical maize populations

Abstract

The development of adapted cultivars to nitrogen stress conditions is shown as an ecologically sustainable option to ensure higher yields in low input agricultural systems. This study aimed to evaluate the NUE in tropical maize (Zea mays L.) populations to forage production in the south of the State of Tocantins. Two experiments were done corresponding to low and high N availability sown on November 21, 2009. Twenty four maize populations and a commercial cultivar BR 106 were used in the experiments. The experimental design was a randomized block with two replicates. Plant height, ear height, ear participation in plant total green mass, ear green mass; plant green mass without ear, total green mass and NUE in forage production were evaluated. Through Moll methodology differences among populations for nitrogen use efficiency were found, however these differences weren't found on Fischer methodology. Populations 12-4, 1-3, 12-6, 12-5, 26-1, 15-2, 25-2 and 1-5 are considered efficient in nitrogen use. The populations 12-6, 12-5, 12-4, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 and 15-2 are the best populations to use in high and low N environment, combining great production of green mass and being efficient in N use. Key words: Zea mays, genetic breeding, silage, abiotic stress ResumoO desenvolvimento de cultivares adaptadas à estresse de nitrogênio (N) é uma das opções de sustentabilidade ecológica para aumentar a produtividade em sistemas agrícolas de baixa e também alta tecnologia. O objetivo com este trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência e uso de N (EUN) em populações tropicais de milho (Zea mays L. ) para a produção forrageira no Sul do Estado do Tocantins. Dois experimentos foram instalados em novembro de 2009, um com baixa disponibilidade de N e outro com alta disponibilidade de N. Vinte e quatro populações e uma cultivar comercial foram usadas nos experimentos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos casualizados com duas repetições. Foram avaliadas a altura de plantas e espiga, a participação da espiga na massa total da planta, massa verde da planta com e sem espiga, massa verde total e EUN na produção de forragem. Pelo método de Moll, foram observadas diferenças entre populações para a EUN, porém essas diferenças não foram observadas pela metodologia de Fischer. As populações 12-4, 1-3, 12-6, 12-5, 26-1, 15-2, 25-2 e 1-5 são consideradas eficientes no uso de N. As populações 12-6, 12-5, 12-4, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 e 15-2 são as melhores para uso em ambientes de alto e baixo N, combinando uma satisfatória produção de massa verde e sendo eficiente no uso de N. Palavras-chave: Zea mays, melhoramento genético, silagem, estresse abiótico

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