Inoculation with Azospirillum, associated with nitrogen fertilization in maize

• Published in: Revista Ceres 2012-06, Vol.59 (3), p.399-405
• Main Authors: Lana, M. do C, dartora, J, Marini, D, Hann, J.E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABONOS NITROGENADOS; AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; ENGRAIS AZOTA; FERTILIZANTE NITROGENADO; FIJACIA³N DEL NITRA³GENO; FIXATION DE L'AZOTE; fixação biológica de nitrogênio; FIXAÇÃO DE NITROGÊNIO; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_12332; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3879; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5195; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5196; INOCULACIA³N; INOCULATION; INOCULAÇÃO; MAA­Z; MAA¯S; MAIZE; MILHO; NITROGEN FERTILIZERS; NITROGEN FIXATION; teor de nitrogênio foliar; Zea mays L
• ISSN: 0034-737X; 2177-3491; 2177-3491; 0034-737X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0034-737X2012000300016

The biological nitrogen fixation is an alternative to supply the nitrogen needed for maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development and yield of maize in response to inoculation with Azospirillum associated with nitrogen fertilization. We conducted two field experiments in the summer harvest, the first in the 2000/2001 crop year in the region of Marechal Cândido Rondon, under conventional tillage, and second in the 2002/2003 agricultural year in the region of Cascavel, under no tillage. The experimental design in both experiments was a randomized complete block, with four replications, 2x2x2 factorial, with two levels of nitrogen at sowing (zero and 20 kg ha-1), two levels of inoculum (zero and 200 g ha-1) and two levels of nitrogen in topdressing (zero and 100 kg ha-1). There was evaluated the height of ear insertion, total plant height, leaf N content, shoot dry biomass and grain yield. The height of ear insertion and total plant height were not influenced by the factors under study. Nitrogen fertilization at sowing increased the leaf N content, causing the opposite effect when combined with inoculation. Inoculation with Azospirillum in the absence of nitrogen, provide productivity increases of 15.4% and 7.4% for 2000/2001 and 2002/2003 crops, respectively. The inoculation provided productivity similar to that obtained with 100 kg ha-1 in topdressing in crop 2000/2001, while in association with the topdressing, reduced productivity and shoot dry biomass in crop 2002/2003. A fixação biológica de nitrogênio é uma alternativa para o suprimento de parte do nitrogênio necessário à cultura do milho. Com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento e produtividade do milho, em resposta à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associada à adubação nitrogenada, foram conduzidos dois experimentos na safra de verão, o primeiro, no ano agrícola 2000/2001, no município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, sob plantio convencional, e, o segundo, no ano agrícola 2002/2003, no município de Cascavel, sob plantio direto. O delineamento experimental empregado foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, esquema fatorial 2x2x2, sendo dois níveis de adubação nitrogenada na semeadura (0 e 20 kg ha-1); dois níveis de inoculante (0 e 200 g ha-1) e dois níveis de nitrogênio em cobertura (0 e 100 kg ha-1). Avaliaram-se altura de inserção da espiga, altura total das plantas, teor de nitrogênio foliar, biomassa seca de parte aérea e produtividade de grãos. As alturas d