TITLE:
Residual Effect of Zinc Application Doses and Methods on Nutrition and Productivity of Corn
AUTHORS:
Gabriela Furtado Mari, Renato de M. Prado, Anelisa de Aquino Vidal Lacerda Soares, Gustavo Caione, Cid Naudi Silva Campos
KEYWORDS:
Zea mays L., Fertilization, Fertilizer Management, Micronutrient
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.6 No.2,
February
5,
2015
ABSTRACT: Zinc is the micronutrient that presents the greatest response in corn grain production. However, the mode of application and the dose used are decisive factors with respect to fertilizer efficiency in the crop. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the residual effect of zinc application methods and rates on corn nutrition and productivity. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Teaching, Research and Production Farm of the FCAV/UNESP. Soil in the area is classified as dystrophic Dark-Red Latosol (dRL). The experimental setup consisted of a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included three localized Zn doses applied to the soil (planting row); three Zn doses incorporated into the soil at depth of 0 - 20 cm; foliar application, seed application and treatment without addition of Zn. Two evaluations of growth during cultivation were performed. Grain productivity of the crop and the zinc content in soil, leaves and seeds were evaluated. Foliar spraying with Zn simultaneously promoted increased leaf Zn content and basal diameter of the plant. The Zn contents in grains and in the soil, as well as grain yield, were not affected by the Zn application methods or the applied doses. The residual effect of incorporated Zn doses was observed only in the basal diameter and number of leaves at 60 days after emergence.