Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the impacts of nitrogen topdressing fertilization and plant density of second-crop maize on the biomass and crude protein production of ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) grown in intercropping. The experiment was carried out during two growing seasons in a randomized complete block design, in split plots, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of N topdressing rates (0 and 80 kg ha−1) and maize plant densities (40, 60, 80, and 100 thousand plants per hectare). Ruzigrass biomass accumulation was measured at the V14, R1, R3, and R6 stages of maize growth, as well as during ruzigrass desiccation. Ruzigrass crude protein content and production and biomass partitioning to leaves, stems, and senescent tissues were evaluated in the R6 stage of maize. The increase in maize plant density reduced ruzigrass growth. However, nitrogen fertilization and maize plant density did not affect ruzigrass biomass partitioning. During intercropping, N fertilization did not affect ruzigrass yield. After maize harvest, N fertilization resulted in a higher ruzigrass biomass (30.2% in 2019) and crude protein (13.8%) production. Low maize plant densities and N topdress fertilization improve the biomass production of ruzigrass in intercropping.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os impactos da adubação nitrogenada de cobertura e da densidade de plantas de milho de segunda safra sobre a produtividade de biomassa e proteína bruta da braquiária (Urochloa ruziziensis) cultivada em consórcio. O experimento foi realizado em duas safras, em blocos ao acaso em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de doses de N em cobertura (0 e 80 kg ha−1) e densidades de plantas de milho (40, 60, 80 e 100 mil plantas por hectare). O acúmulo de biomassa da braquiária foi avaliado nos estádios V14, R1, R3 e R6 do milho, bem como na dessecação da braquiária Avaliaram-se o teor e a produção de proteína bruta e a par tição de biomassa em folhas, colmos e tecidos senescentes da braquiária no estágio R6 do milho. O aumento da densidade de plantas de milho reduziu o crescimento da braquiária. No entanto, a adubação nitrogenada e a densidade de plantas de milho não afetaram a partição de biomassa da braquiária. Durante o consórcio, a adubação nitrogenada não impactou a produtividade da braquiária. Após a colheita do milho, a adubação nitrogenada proporcionou maior produção de biomassa (30,2% em 2019) e de proteína bruta (13,8%) da braquiária. As baixas densidades de plantas de milho e a adubação nitrogenada melhoram a produção de biomassa de braquiária em consórcio.

ABSTRACT Delay of sowing date in subtropical environments with long growing seasons can modify the yield response of corn hybrids to nitrogen (N) fertilization. This study evaluated the effects of the sowing time, and N top-dress rate on corn hybrids’ yield and N-use efficiency with different cycles. Two field experiments were carried out in subtropical environment of southern Brazil. The following factors were investigated: corn hybrids (AG9025, super early cycle and P30F53, early cycle), sowing times (early and late spring), and N top-dress rates (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1). The delay of sowing date from early to late spring reduced 10 % the number of kernels per ear, decreasing grain yield. Corn presented lower yield potential in late sowings (-24 %), associated with a smaller response of grain yield to the N rate increase. The maximum corn yield was achieved at a rate of 360 kg ha-1 of N in early spring sowing and 300 kg ha-1 in late spring. The hybrid with early cycle presented greater yield stability and higher N use efficiency than the super early cycle hybrid in the late sowing. The N agronomic efficiency use is 47 % lower in late spring sowing than in early spring sowing. Regardless of the sowing date, the N use efficiency decreased 0.08 for each kg ha-1 N rate increase. This study suggests a reduction of at least 20 % in the N top-dress rate when the sowing date of corn is delayed to late spring in southern Brazil to decrease N losses and production costs.

ABSTRACT. Precrops have different growth patterns, nitrogen (N) requirements, and production of residues varying in amounts and quality that may affect the N-clycling and the soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cropped in succession. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of precrops and N fertilization on soybean performance. An experiment was conducted in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil, with six precrops treatments: fallow, ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis), showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), corn (Zea mays) without or with 80 kg ha−1 of N at topdressing as urea, and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Subplots consisted of two levels of N fertilization at soybean sowing: 0 and 30 kg ha−1 of N as ammonium nitrate at sowing. Urochloa ruziziensis as precrops increased the soybean yield (5,171 kg ha-1) when compared with corn (4,346 kg ha-1) and fallow (4,467 kg ha-1). In 2016/17, N fertilization of soybean with 30 kg ha−1 of N at sowing, although increasing the initial plant growth (745 kg ha-1 with vs. 662 kg ha-1 without), impairs nodulation (100 mg pl-1 with vs. 130 g pl-1 without) and does not increase grain yield. Oil and protein concentrations in soybean grains are not influenced by precrops and N fertilization at sowing. We found that the use Urochloa ruziziensis as cover crop in soybean precrops is a good recommendation option in tropical regions of Brazil, because increasing the yield of soybean grown in succession. N fertilization at in soybean sowing it should not be recommended even in the presence of a large amount of straw.

RESUMEN La reducción del espacio entre líneas y la siembra en líneas dobles en maíz (Zea mays L.) permite una distribución más equidistante de las plantas con una misma densidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar los efectos de dos prácticas de manejo sobre el contenido de nitrógeno en la hoja índice, el índice de área foliar del cultivo y el rendimiento de granos de maíz a diferentes densidades de plantas. El experimento fue realizado en Lages, en la Universidad del Estado de Santa Catarina, en el sur de Brasil, en los periodos de cosecha 2016/2017 y 2017/2018. Se utilizó un arreglo de parcelas divididas de un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar. En la parcela principal se evaluaron dos densidades (7 y 9 plantas m-2) y en las subparcelas se evaluaron cinco espacios entre líneas (0.4 m, 0.6 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m y líneas dobles de 0.6 m entre cada una y 0.18 m entre líneas del par). Se evaluaron las características fisiológicas y el rendimiento de granos del maíz hibrido P30R50YH, sembrado en 20/10/2016 y 21/10/2017. Los rendimientos de grano fueron mayores en la densidad de 9 plantas m-2 que a 7 plantas m-2. El espacio entre filas no afectó el índice de contenido de nitrógeno en la hoja, el índice de área foliar del cultivo en el espigamiento, y el rendimiento de granos. El incremento en la densidad de plantas fue más eficiente que la reducción del espacio entre líneas y la siembra en líneas dobles para incrementar el rendimiento del hibrido P30R50YH.

ABSTRACT Reducing row space and sowing in twin rows of maize (Zea mays L.) allow more equidistant plant distribution at the same density. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of these two management practices on the nitrogen content of the index leaf, the leaf area index at silking, and the grain yield of maize at different plant densities. The experiment was carried out in Lages, Santa Catarina State University, in southern Brazil during the growing seasons 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. A split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design was used. Two plant densities (7 and 9 plants m-2) were distributed in the main plot, and five row spaces (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 m and twin rows 0.6 m apart with 0.18 m between rows) were evaluated in split-plots. Physiological traits and grain yield were determined on the maize hybrid P30R50YH. The experiments were sown on 10/20/2016 and 10/21/2017. Kernel yields were higher at the plant density of 9 plants m-2 than at 7 plants m-2. The row space did not affect the nitrogen content of the index leaf, the crop leaf area index at silking, and the maize grain yield. The increment of plant density was more effective than the use of narrow and twin rows to enhance P30R50YH hybrid grain yield.

RESUMEN El fraccionamiento de la fertilización nitrogenada en la superficie, con la aplicación de una parte de nitrógeno en el panojamiento, puede aumentar el rendimiento de los granos de maíz, principalmente cuando el cultivo se siembra en la fecha más favorable para obtener una alta productividad. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar los efectos de la fecha de siembra sobre la respuesta del maíz al fraccionamiento de la fertilización nitrogenada en la superficie y a los estados fenológicos. Se evaluaron dos fechas de siembra: preferencial (15/10/2015 y 20/09/2016) y tardía (5/12/2015 y 5/12/2016). En cada fecha de siembra fueron analizados seis tratamientos de aplicación de nitrógeno en la superficie: testigo sin N; aplicación de dosis completa de N en V5, V10 y VT; ½ aplicación de N en V5, + ½ aplicación de N en V10; y ⅓ de la aplicación de N en V5 + ⅓ de la aplicación de N en V10 + ⅓ de la aplicación de N en VT. La dosis de nitrógeno utilizada fue de 300 kg ha-1. El rendimiento de granos varió entre 8.9 a 15.3 t ha-1 en Lages y 7.4 a 16.4 t ha-1 en Atalanta. No hubo diferencias significativas en el rendimiento de granos ni en la eficiencia agronómica del uso de nitrógeno (EUN) entre los tratamientos con aplicación de la dosis completa de N en los estadios V5 y V10 y aquellos en los que el nutriente se dividió dos o tres veces, independiente de la fecha de siembra. La EUN fue mayor en la siembra realizada al en la fecha preferencial que en la fecha tardía, independientemente del manejo de la aplicación nitrogenada en la superficie. El fraccionamiento de la fertilización nitrogenada en la superficie hasta VT no incrementó el rendimiento de granos ni la EUN del maíz.

ABSTRACT The splitting of nitrogen side-dressing fertilization with the application of a nitrogen dose at maize tasseling may increase grain yield, mainly when the crop is sown at the most favorable date to achieve high productivity. This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of sowing date on the response of maize to the splitting of nitrogen side-dressing fertilization at different growth stages. Two sowing dates were tested: preferential (10/15/2015 and 09/20/2016) and late (12/5/2015 and 12/5/2016). Six nitrogen side-dressing management treatments were evaluated at each sowing date: control without N; complete nitrogen rate applied at phenological stages V5, V10 and VT; ½ N rate at V5 + ½ N rate at V10; and ⅓ N rate at V5 + ⅓ N rate at V10 + ⅓ N rate at VT. The N rate was equivalent to 300 kg ha-1. Grain yield ranged from 8.9 to 15.3 t ha-1 in Lages and from 7.4 to 16.4 t ha-1 in Atalanta. There were no significant differences in grain yield and agronomic efficiency of nitrogen use (AE) among the treatments with the entire N side-dressing fertilization at V5 and V10 and those when the nutrient was split into two or three times, regardless of sowing date. AE was higher when the crop was sown at the preferential sowing date than in the late sowing date, regardless of N side-dressing application. The splitting of nitrogen fertilization up to the crop tasseling did not increase maize grain yield or AE.

RESUMO Doses de nitrogênio (N) em cobertura podem alterar o desempenho da cultura do milho segunda safra, e essa resposta pode variar se o milho for cultivado solteiro ou consorciado com espécies de gramíneas ou leguminosas. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de doses de N aplicadas em cobertura no crescimento e desempenho produtivo de milho segunda safra solteiro e consorciado com braquiária (Urochloa ruziziensis) ou crotalária (Crotalaria spectabilis). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas pelo milho solteiro, consorciado com braquiária ou com crotalária, e as subparcelas pelas doses de N (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1). As variáveis avaliadas foram: índice SPAD em R1; índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada em V4 e V7; área foliar em R1; massa seca de folha e total do milho em R1; massa seca de grão e total do milho em R6; número de espigas por planta e de grãos por espiga; massa de mil grãos; e produtividade de grãos. Na ausência de adubação nitrogenada e com uso de 60 kg ha-1 de N em cobertura, o consórcio com U. ruziziensis reduz o crescimento e o desempenho produtivo de milho segunda safra. A adubação nitrogenada de cobertura no milho segunda safra em consórcio com U. ruziziensis minimiza a competição da forrageira sobre o crescimento do milho e proporciona, a partir de 120 kg ha-1 de N, desempenho produtivo similar ao do cereal solteiro. O consórcio com C. spectabilis não altera o crescimento e o desempenho produtivo do milho, bem como a resposta a doses de N aplicadas em cobertura, em relação ao milho solteiro, na segunda safra.

ABSTRACT Topdressing nitrogen (N) rates may alter the second-crop corn performance, and this response may vary if the corn is grown single or intercropped with grass or leguminous species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of topdressing N rates on the growth and productive performance of second-crop corn grown single or intercropped with ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) or showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with a split-plot arrangement and four replications. The plots consisted of corn grown single or intercropped with ruzigrass or showy rattlebox, while the subplots consisted of N rates (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1). The evaluated variables were: SPAD index at R1; normalized difference vegetation index at V4 and V7; leaf area at R1; leaf and total corn dry mass at R1; grain and total corn dry mass at R6; number of ears per plant and grains per ear; 1,000-grain mass; and grain yield. In the absence of N fertilization and with topdressing of 60 kg ha-1 of N, the intercropping with U. ruziziensis reduces the growth and productive performance of second-crop corn. The topdressing N fertilization for second-crop corn intercropped with U. ruziziensis minimizes the forage competition on corn growth and provides a productive performance similar to monocropping from 120 kg ha-1 of N. The intercropping with C. spectabilis does not change the corn growth and productive performance, as well as the response to the topdressing N rates, when compared to monocropping, in the second crop cultivation.

ABSTRACT Currently, most nitrogen fertilizer is side-dressed when corn is in the four (V4) to eight (V8) expanded leaf stage. However, recent studies have shown that modern hybrids take up high amounts of nitrogen during grain filling. This indicates that a late nitrogen fertilization, at the time of crop flowering, may be important to optimize corn agronomic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing and splitting of nitrogen side-dress application on the agronomic performance of early corn hybrids in order to achieve high grain yield. The experiment was set in Lages, Santa Catarina, in the South of Brazil, during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons. A randomized block design arranged in split plots was used. Two hybrids were tested in the main plots: P1680YH (very early) and P30F53YH (early). Six nitrogen side-dress systems were assessed in the split plots: control (without N), full N rate applied at V5, full N rate applied at V10, 1/2 N rate applied at V5 and 1/2 at V10, 1/3 N rate applied at V5, 1/3 at V10 and 1/3 at VT; and the whole N rate applied at VT. The nitrogen rate was 300 kg ha-1 N. Urea was used as the nitrogen source. Total grain yield and yield components, agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, and leaf area were determined. Grain yield ranged from 6,422 to 15,426 kg ha-1 in 2014/2015 and from 9,283 to 14,986 in 2015/2016. Nitrogen side-dress application performed one time at V5 or V10 or split into two or three applications at different growth stages had similar grain yield, number of ears per plant, kernels per ear, and 1,000 grain dry weight. Nitrogen side-dressed entirely at VT led to higher grain yield than the control. However, grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency were lower in this treatment than in the treatments involving the other growth stages of side-dress nitrogen. The early hybrid was higher yielding than the very early hybrid, regardless of the timing of nitrogen fertilization. Splitting of nitrogen fertilization up to tasseling was not an effective strategy to increase grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of the corn hybrids P30F53YH and P1680YH.