Maize hybrids with late nitrogen side-dressing 487

GRAIN YIELD AND KERNEL CRUDE PROTEIN CONTENT

INCREASES OF MAIZE HYBRIDS WITH LATE
NITROGEN SIDE-DRESSING

Paulo Regis Ferreira da Silva1; Mércio Luiz Strieder1; Rúbia Patrícia da Silva Coser1; Lisandro
Rambo1; Luís Sangoi2*; Gilber Argenta3; Everton Leonardo Forsthofer3; Adriano Alves da Silva1
1
UFRGS - Depto. de Plantas de Lavoura, C.P. 776 - 91501-970 - Porto Alegre, RS - Brasil.
2
UDESC - Depto. de Fitotecnia, C.P. 281 - 88520-000 - Lages, SC - Brasil.
3
Syngenta Seeds - Desenvolvimento de Produtos - Rod. BR 452, km 142 - 38400-974 - Uberlândia, MG - Brasil.
*Corresponding author <[email protected]>

ABSTRACT: Physiological changes incorporated into current maize hybrids suggest the occurrence of
modifications in the nitrogen uptake dynamics, improving plant ability to uptake N during grain filling. This
may justify late N side-dressing whenever environmental constraints prevent adequate nitrogen supply during
crops vegetative development. This study evaluates effects of nitrogen fertilization at booting and silking on
grain yield and kernel crude protein contents of commercial maize hybrids. Two experiments were set up in
Eldorado do Sul, RS, during the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 growing seasons. In 2001/2002, treatments were
composed of two hybrids (Agroceres 303 and Pioneer 32R21), three nitrogen rates applied during maize
vegetative development (30, 80 and 130 kg ha-1) and three nitrogen rates applied at silking (0, 50 and 100 kg
ha-1). In 2002/2003, four hybrids (Agroceres 303, Pioneer 32R21, Dekalb 215 and Syngenta Penta) and four
nitrogen rates side-dressed at booting (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha-1) were assessed. There were significant
increments in grain yield and kernel crude protein content with nitrogen fertilization at booting and silking.
Grain yield response to late N side-dressing differed among cultivars. The impact of nitrogen fertilization at
silking was higher at the smallest rate of N during the plant vegetative development. Enhancements in grain
yield with late N side-dressing resulted from increases in grain weight. Modern hybrids can uptake nitrogen
during silking, contradicting the hypothesis that late N side-dressing is not efficient to improve maize grain
yield.
Key words: Zea mays, nitrogen, fertilization timing, productivity

RENDIMENTO E TEOR DE PROTEÍNA BRUTA NOS GRÃOS

DE HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO COM ADUBAÇÃO NITROGENADA
DE COBERTURA TARDIA

RESUMO: Alterações morfo-fisiológicas introduzidas nos híbridos modernos de milho sugerem mudanças
na dinâmica de absorção do nitrogênio, aumentando a habilidade da planta de absorvê-lo durante o
enchimento de grãos. Isto pode justificar a utilização de coberturas nitrogenadas tardias sempre que
restrições climáticas impedirem o suprimento adequado de nitrogênio durante o desenvolvimento vegetativo
da cultura. Este estudo foi conduzido objetivando avaliar os efeitos da fertilização nitrogenada no
emborrachamento e espigamento no rendimento e teor de proteína nos grãos de híbridos de milho. Dois
experimentos foram instalados em Eldorado do Sul, RS, nos anos agrícolas de 2001/2002 e 2002/2003. Em
2001/2002, os tratamentos foram compostos por dois híbridos (Agroceres 303 e Pioneer 32R21), três
doses de N aplicadas durante o desenvolvimento vegetativo (30, 80 e 130 kg ha-1) e três doses de N aplicadas
no espigamento (0, 50 e 100 kg ha-1). Em 2002/2003, quatro híbridos (Agroceres 303, Pioneer 32R21,
Dekalb 215 e Syngenta Penta) e quatro doses de N aplicadas no espigamento (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1)
foram testadas. A fertilização nitrogenada no emborrachamento e espigamento promoveu incrementos
significativos no rendimento e teor de proteína bruta dos grãos. A resposta do rendimento de grãos à
cobertura nitrogenada tardia diferiu entre as cultivares. O impacto da fertilização nitrogenada no espigamento
foi maior quando se aplicou baixas doses de N na fase de desenvolvimento vegetativo. Os aumentos
no rendimento de grãos obtidos com coberturas tardias deveram-se principalmente ao maior peso de grãos.
Os híbridos contemporâneos são capazes de absorver N depois do espigamento, contradizendo a hipótese
de que coberturas nitrogenadas tardias não são eficientes para aumentar o rendimento de grãos do
milho.
Palavras-chave: Zea mays, nitrogênio, época de aplicação, produtividade

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488 Silva et al.

INTRODUCTION In the 2001/2002 growing season, treatments con-

sisted of two maize cultivars: Pioneer 32R21 (P 32R21),
Breeding plants that uptake and use N more effi- a single-cross, very early hybrid, released in the mid 90’s;
ciently, and developing management practices that syn- and Agroceres 303 (AG 303), a double-cross early hy-
chronize N fertilization and stages of maize with higher brid, released in the mid 80’s. For each genotype, three
N demand are important strategies to increase efficiency rates of N were side-dressed during the vegetative period
of nitrogen use (Raun & Johnson, 1999). The best period (30, 80 and 130 kg ha-1) and three rates (0, 50 and 100 kg
for N application depends on the degree of N deficiency, ha-1) at silking. Trials were set up in a complete random-
linked to the balance between quantity of N supplied by ized block design, 2 × 3 × 3 factorial scheme (n = 4).
the soil and maize internal demand (Binder et al., 2000). In the 2002/2003 growing season, in addition to
Recommendations for nitrogen fertilization rates the two genotypes tested early, two additional maize hy-
in southern Brazil range from 10 to 30 kg ha-1 on sowing, brids were tested: Dekalb 215 (DKB 215) and Syngenta
and the remaining side-dressed when the plant has three Penta (PENTA), both single-cross early hybrids, released
to eight expanded leaves (Amado et al., 2002). Postpon- along the last five growing seasons. Each cultivar was
ing part of nitrogen fertilization to more advanced growth submitted to four N rates, side-dressed at booting (0, 50,
stages, when plants have greater capacity to take up nutri- 100 and 150 kg ha-1), in a randomized split-plot design
ents, increase nitrogen efficiency use (NEU) (Indicações (n = 4). Hybrids were located in the main plots and the
Técnicas para a Cultura do Milho no RS, 2001). N rates at booting in the subplots.
Because modern commercial hybrids are more Hybrid AG 303 was first sown at 60,000 plants
productive and require a greater amount of N to express per ha, on September 20, 2001, and hybrid P32R21 at
their yield potential the strategy of postponing part of the 75,000 plants per ha, on October 10, 2001. Differences
N fertilization to later growth stages is now more feasible between sowing periods targeted matching the silking
(Sangoi et al., 2001). Huber et al. (1994) and Rajcan & stage of both hybrids. Rates of 100 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and
Tollenaar (1999a) showed that modern North American K2O were applied at the AG 303 sowing date. When 50%
hybrids presented high N absorption peaks during silking of maize seedlings of each hybrid have emerged, 30 kg
and grain filling. This response shows that there were ha-1 of N were applied. The mean and high rates of N in
changes in the N uptake dynamics and assimilation, in the vegetative period (80 and 130 kg ha-1) were divided
comparison to genotypes released in previous decades. in three equal doses, applied at the stages of three to four,
Nitrogen fertilization at more advanced pheno- seven to eight and ten to 11 expanded leaves. The rates
logical stages may allow the maintenance of root growth of 50 and 100 kg ha-1 N at silking were applied in a single
and the integrity of leaf area for a longer period of time, operation, when 75% of the plants had visible silks (0.5
delaying the absorption of nitrogen and other nutrients to 1.0 cm long) on the ear.
required for high yield (Hageman & Below, 1984; Earl
In the second growing season, hybrid AG 303
& Tollenaar, 1997). This may be important under circum-
was sown on October 01, 2002, at 50,000 plants per ha;
stances that impair nitrogen side-dressing at the recom-
other hybrids were sown at 70,000 plants per ha. Phos-
mended time, such as rainy springs. The objective of this
phorus, potassium and nitrogen were banded in the rows
study was to assess the effect of nitrogen side-dressing
during sowing, at rates of 25 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P2O5,
at the booting and silking stages on agronomic traits of
and 100 kg ha-1 K 2O. Two N side-dressing were per-
maize hybrids commercially released at different eras.
formed in all plots during the vegetative stage: 40 kg
MATERIAL AND METHODS ha-1 when plants had five to six leaves, and 30 kg ha-1
when plants presented ten to 11 expanded leaves. Rates
Two experiments were carried out in Eldorado do of N at booting were applied in a single dose, on the
Sul, RS, southern Brazil (30o01’S, 51o40’W and 46m of same day for all the hybrids, when 75% of the earliest
altitude). The climate of the region is wet subtropical with hybrid plants (P 32R21) had 15 expanded leaves, cor-
hot summers (Bergamaschi et al., 2003). The soil in the responding to a period of five to 15 days before silking
experimental area is classified as Rhodic Kandiudults. The for the earliest (P 23R21) and the latest (AG 303) hy-
soil attributes during the experimental period were: clay brid, respectively.
content - 290 g kg-1; water pH – 5.1; P - 14 mg kg-1; K - Both trials were hand-sown, in a no-till sowing
125 mg kg-1; organic matter - 23 g kg-1; and cationic ex- system, 0.7 m row spacing. Urea was used as the N
change capacity: 1.1 cmolc L-1 (Tedesco et al., 1995). Phos- source. Weeds, pests and diseases were controlled
phorus and potassium soil contents were assessed through throughout the cropping cycle so that they did not inter-
the Mehlich I and Mehlich II methods, respectively. To- fere in grain yield. A spray system, with 10 mm h-1 flow,
tal nitrogen contents in the soil at planting were 3,204 was used to irrigate the trials whenever the water poten-
kg ha-1 at the 0-20 cm depth layer (Bayer et al., 2000). tial in the soil was lower than –0,04 MPa.

Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), v.62, n.5, p.487-492, Sept./Oct. 2005

 Maize hybrids with late nitrogen side-dressing 489

Each subplot comprised five, 6-m long rows, a increases were 0.7 and 1.7 t ha-1, respectively, with the
total area of 21 m2. Grain yield, yield components and application of 50 and 100 kg ha-1 N at silking. There were
kernel crude protein contents were determined. Grain no responses to N application at silking for the interme-
yield was assessed in the three central rows, excluding diary N rate in the vegetative period.
0.5 m at each row end, comprising an experimental area Grain yield of the two hybrids differed in rela-
of 8.4 m2. It was corrected to standard moisture of 13%, tion to N application at silking, (Table 2). The double-
and extrapolated to one hectare. Individual kernel weight cross hybrid AG 303 responded up to the application of
was determined by counting and weighing 400 grains per 50 kg ha-1 N, increasing 1.5 t ha-1 in yield. The single-
experimental unit. Each value was divided by 400 and cross hybrid P 32R21 responded up to the application of
corrected to the moisture of 13%. The number of grains 100 kg ha-1 N at silking, with increases in yield of 2.7
per m2 was obtained through the ratio between the grain t ha-1, in comparison to the treatment without N applica-
mass produced per m2 and the mass of one grain. A grain tion at this stage.
sample of 20 g was ground in a centrifuge-type grinder In the experiment carried out in 2002/2003, in-
to determine crude protein contents. The N contents of teractions between hybrids and N rates applied at boot-
grains were obtained by the Kjedahl method, (Tedesco et ing affected grain yield. The response of grain yield to
al, 1995) and multiplied by 6.5 (1% N corresponds to 6.25 N application at booting was linear for PENTA and qua-
g protein), to calculate grain protein contents. dratic for the other hybrids (Figure 1). For each kg of N
An analysis of variance was performed separately applied at booting, an increase of 14 kg in the grain yield
for each growing season (F teste; α = 0.05). Comparison of PENTA was recorded. The estimated N rates at boot-
among means was carried out using the Tukey’s test (α
14
= 0.05) during the first growing season. In the second ex-
periment, data from significant effects were submitted to 13
regression analysis, testing linear and quadratic models.
Grain yield (t ha-1)

12
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
11
In 2001/2002, grain yield was affected by inter-
actions between N levels in the vegetative period × N 10
rates at silking and hybrids × N rates at silking (Tables 1 9 y = 11.3 + 0.040x - 0.0002x2 R2 = 0.99
and 2). Grain yield response of the two hybrids to nitro- DKB215
P32R21 y = 10.5 + 0.031x - 0.0001x2
gen side-dressing at silking depended on the rate of N 8 PENTA y = 11.04 + 0.014x r2= 0.91 R2 = 0.99
supplied during the vegetative period (Table 1). At the AG303 y = 8.33 + 0.041x - 0.0002x 2
R2 = 0.98

lowest N rate, grain yield increased 2.8 and 3.6 t ha-1, with 07
0 50 100 150
the application of 50 and 100 kg ha-1 N at silking, respec- -1
Nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting (kg ha )
tively, compared to the control. At the highest N level,
Figure 1 - Grain yield of four maize hybrids as a function of four
Table 1 - Grain yield and number of grains per ear at three nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting. Error bars repre-
sent the standard error of mean (Tukey’s test; α = 0.05).
nitrogen levels (N) side-dressed in the vegetative
period and two N rates applied at silking, in the Table 2 - Grain yield and kernel crude protein content of two
average of two maize hybrids1. maize hybrids and three rates of nitrogen (N) applied
Ra te s o f nitr o ge n a p p lie d a t s ilk ing at silking, in the average of three N rates side-dressed
N itr o ge n le ve ls a p p lie d
in the ve ge ta tive p e r io d during the vegetative period1.
0 50 100
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - k g ha - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ra te s o f nitr o ge n a p p lie d a t s ilk ing
Hyb r id s
Gr a in yie ld ( t ha ) -1 0 50 100
30 B 4.4 c A 7.2 c A 8.0 c - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - k g ha - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-1

80 A 10.4 b A 11 . 1 b A 11 . 3 b Gr a in yie ld ( t ha - 1)
130 B 11 . 4 a AB 1 2 . 1 a A 13.1 a Agr o c e r e s 3 0 3 B 7.9 b A 9.4 b A 9.2 b
Gr a ins p e r e a r ( nº ) P io ne e r 3 2 R2 1 C 9.7 a B 10.8 a A 12.4 a
30 B 282 b A 363 b A 369 b K e r ne l c r ud e p r o te in c o nte nt ( % )
80 A 540 a A 528 a A 524 a Agr o c e r e s 3 0 3 B 6.9 a B 8.2 a A 10.5 a
130 A 5 5 6 a AB 5 2 8 a A 548 a P io ne e r 3 2 R2 1 AB 7 . 3 a B 7.1 a A 8.5 b
1
Means followed by the same lower case letter in the column and 1
Means followed by the same lower case letter in the column and
preceded by the same upper case letter on the line - not differ preceded by the same uppercase letter on the line - not differ
(Tukey’s test, α = 0.05). (Tukey’s test, α = 0.05).

Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), v.62, n.5, p.487-492, Sept./Oct. 2005

490 Silva et al.

ing that optimized grain yield were 103, 150 and 100 kg The number of grains m-2 (Figure 2) and grain
ha-1 for AG 303, P 23R21 and DKB 215, respectively. weight (Figure 3) of PENTA increased linearly with in-
Confirming the results of the first experiment, the double- creasing rates of N fertilization at booting. These increases
cross hybrid AG 303 presented lower grain yields than were 2.92 grains m-2 and 0.13 g, for each kg of applied N,
the more recent single-cross hybrids, regardless of nitro- respectively. The response of these yield components in the
gen rates applied at booting. other hybrids was quadratic. The N rates side-dressed at
Enhancements in grain yield with late nitrogen booting that optimized the number of grains m-2 were 104,
side-dressing in 2001/2002 can be attributed to increas- 125 and 83 kg ha-1 for the hybrids AG 303, P 32R21 and
ing number of grains per ear, when 50 kg ha-1 of N were DKB 215, respectively. Rates of nitrogen fertilization that
applied at silking during the vegetative period (Table 1). resulted in heavier grains were 111, 125 and 48 kg ha-1 for
Conversely, the increase in grain weight was responsible the hybrids AG 303, P 32R21 and DKB 215, respectively.
for higher yields when the rate of N applied at silking The greater grain yield of more recent hybrids
increased from 0 to 100 kg ha-1, regardless of the amount P32R21 and Penta, in comparison to hybrids released in
of N applied in the vegetative period or the kind of hy- the mid 80’s, AG 303 for instance, can be associated to
brid tested in the trial (Table 3). The number of ears pro- the higher number of grains per area (Figure 2) in 2002/
duced per area was not affected by N application at 2003, and to the combined effect of grain weight and
silking or booting (data not presented). This may have number of grains per ear (Tables 1 and 3) in 2001/2002.
occurred because this yield component had already been In both trials, the weight of 1,000 grains was the yield
defined previously to the timing of N application. Another component that showed the most consistent response to
factor that may have prevented the response of this com- N fertilization at booting and silking.
ponent was that the rate of N available in the vegetative Nitrogen application at silking also increased ker-
period was relatively high (95 kg ha-1) in the experiment nel crude protein content (Table 2), up to the application
with N application at booting. of 100 kg ha-1 N, grain protein percentage being 52 and
16% higher than the control for AG 303 and P 32R21,
Table 3 - Grain weight at three nitrogen rates (N) applied at respectively. This response showed that N applied dur-
silking, in the average of two maize hybrids and ing flowering was taken by the plant and accumulated in
three N rates side-dressed in the vegetative period1. the grains. Nitrogen side-dressing at booting affected
grain protein contents of tested hybrids in a different way
Ra te s o f nitr o ge n a p p lie d a t s ilk ing Gr a in we ight (Figure 4). The response was linear for AG 303, P 32R21
k g ha -1
mg and DKB 215, with increases of nine, 15 and 41% in pro-
0 280 c tein content for each 100 kg N applied at booting. The
50 300 b optimal rate of N at booting to maximize the PENTA
100 320 a crude protein content was 100 kg ha-1.
1
Means followed by the same lower case letter in the column did
There was an inverse relationship in the quanti-
not differ (Tukey’s test; α = 0.05). tative and qualitative responses of maize kernels to ni-
trogen side-dress at booting. PENTA presented linear in-
5000 325

4500
Number of grains per m

300
Grain weight (mg)

4000

3500 275

3000 DKB215 y =273 + 0.19x -0.0002x

2
R2 = 0.77
250 P32R21 y = 274 + 0.40x - 0.0016x
2
R2 = 0.96
DKB215 y = 4143 + 11.49x - 0.069x2 R2 = 0.85 y = 296 + 0.13x 2
r = 0.94
2500 P32R21 y = 3818 + 5.68x - 0.018x
2 2
R = 0.94
PENTA
2
y = 3737 + 2.92x r = 0.73 AG303 y = 296 + 0.29x - 0.0013x2 R2 = 0.97
PENTA
2 2

2000
0
AG303 y = 2817 + 10.45x - 0.050x R = 0.99 0225
0 50 100 150 0 50 100 150
Nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting (kg ha-1) Nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting (kg ha-1)
Figure 2 - Number of grains of four maize hybrids as a function of Figure 3 - Grain weight of four maize hybrids as a function of four
four nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting. Error bars nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting. Error bars
represent the standard error of mean values (Tukey’s test; represent the standard error of mean values (Tukey’s test;
α = 0.05). α = 0.05).

Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), v.62, n.5, p.487-492, Sept./Oct. 2005

 Maize hybrids with late nitrogen side-dressing 491

13 DKB215 y = 5.66 + 0.023x r = 0.94

2
ing. The stay-green trait has been emphasized by many
y = 5.96 + 0.06x - 0.0003x2 R2 = 0.92 breeding programs because delay in leaf senescence is
Kernel crude protein content (%)
PENTA
12 2
y = 7.74 + 0.011x r = 0.77
P32R21
11 AG303
2
y = 7.22 + 0.0064x r = 0.61 associated with higher grain yield (Wolfe et al., 1988;
Dwyer & Tollenaar, 1989; Dwyer et al., 1991; McCullough
10
et al. 1994). The prolonged maintenance of leaf area for
9 photoassimilate production during grain filling and the abil-
8 ity to up take N from the soil after flowering characterize
7 maize hybrids with highly efficient use of N (Dwyer et al.
1995). The capacity of maize to maintain N uptake during
6
the filling period may be related to the supply of carbohy-
5 drates to the root (Rajcan & Tollenaar, 1999a). Therefore,
4 considering that older hybrids, such as AG 303, established
03 a weak drain during the beginning of kernel formation due
0 50 100 150 to their lower yield potential, it is more likely that poor
-1
Nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at booting (kg ha ) sinking lead to a reduction in N demand inside the plant,
Figure 4 - Kernel crude protein content of four maize hybrids as a decreasing N uptake by roots after silking, and its
function of four nitrogen (N) rates side-dressed at remobilization from the leaves and stem to the grains
booting. Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil, 2002/2003. The (Sangoi et al., 2001). It can thus be speculate that many
error bars represent the standard error of mean values
(Tukey’s test; α = 0.05).
modern hybrids, such as P23R21 and PENTA, have greater
capacity to uptake N from the soil and to mobilize it from
crease in grain yield and quadratic response for grain pro- the vegetative tissues to the grains after silking, resulting
tein content, while the other hybrids showed quadratic in delayed leaf senescence, prolonged filling period and
increases in grain yield and linear responses in grain pro- heavier grain production. This physiological sequence of
tein contents (Figures 1 and 4). Although no increases in events elicits a more balanced source:demand ratio, result-
grain yield with high N rates were recorded, kernels of ing in higher N efficiency use (Rajcan & Tollenaar, 1999a;
AG 303, P 32R21 and DKB 215 continued demanding 1999b).
N and storing the nutrient as protein. Grain protein quality was not assessed in the
N side-dressing at silking mitigates loss of grain study. However, protein quality (type and quantity of
yield potential, mainly when N supply during the vegeta- amino acids present) is a relevant factor for producers and
tive stages is insufficient, and nitrogen deficiency more consumers, especially when grain quality determines the
accentuated at flowering. According to Binder et al. final price of the commodity. Tsai et al. (1992) showed
(2000), when nitrogen deficiency is greater at the begin- that increases in protein content in maize grains driven
ning of maize development, N should be side-dressed ear- by nitrogen side-dressing were derived from greater quan-
lier to obtain maximum grain yield. However, the deter- tity of zein. This protein is deficient in lysine and
mination of an ideal period for N application differs from triptophane, two essential amino acids for species such
the definition of a phenological stage where it is still pos- as pigs and poultry. Consequently, it is possible that pro-
sible to get a yield positive response to fertilizer appli- tein quality is not improved with late N side-dressing.
cation. Grain yield and kernel crude protein contents in- Another possible advantage of increasing grain protein
creases can be obtained with late N application whenever content with late N side-dressing is reducing kernel sus-
there is deficiency of this nutrient during the vegetative ceptibility to breakage at harvesting, a feature that allows
period, although the crop yield potential has already been greater aggregation of commercial value to the product
hindered and can no longer be reached. An economically (Tsai et al., 1992).
viable response can be observed with the application of Several modern hybrids can up take up and as-
mineral nitrogen up to silking under undesirable climatic similate N efficiently during silking, contradicting the
conditions that either delay N application, or favor high premise that the impact of nitrogen side-dressing after
N losses during maize vegetative period (Scharf et al., flowering on grain yield is negligible. The use of late ni-
2002). This was the case in the first experiment. Appli- trogen side-dressing is advantageous particularly when
cation of 50 kg ha-1 N at silking promoted 63.6% incre- adequate quantities of N are not supplied during the veg-
ment in grain yield over the control, receiving only 30 etative period. This situation commonly occurs under
kg ha-1 during the crop vegetative period. water stress, caused either by deficient or excessive rain-
The differential response to late N side-dressing fall during the crop cycle. Another potential advantage
among cultivars developed in different periods may have of spreading nitrogen side-dresses in a longer period of
occurred because many current hybrids keep the integ- time is the reduction of N losses from volatilization and
rity of leaf area for a longer period, which contributes to leaching, lowering negative impact on environmental re-
the greater synthesis of photoassimilates during grain fill- sources and human health. This is particularly important
Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), v.62, n.5, p.487-492, Sept./Oct. 2005
492 Silva et al.

Table 4 - Comparison of maize yield at identical total N rates and different times of nitrogen aplication, in the average of two
maize hybrids.
To ta l N r a te ve ge ta tive + s ilk ing Gr a in yie ld
k g ha -1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - t ha - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
80 1 0 . 4 (8 0 + 0 )1 7 . 2 (3 0 + 5 0 ) -
130 11 . 4 ( 1 3 0 + 0 ) 11 . 1 ( 8 0 + 5 0 ) 8 . 0 (3 0 + 1 0 0 )
180 1 2 . 1 (1 3 0 + 5 0 ) 11 . 3 ( 8 0 + 1 0 0 ) -
1
The two values in parenthesis represent the N rate at vegetative stage and silking, respectively.

when high N rates are used during the entire crop cycle, DWYER, L.M.; ANDERSON, A.M.; STEWART, D.W.; MA, B.L.;
TOLLENAAR, M. Changes in maize hybrid photosynthetic response to
a common situation in production systems designed to leaf nitrogen, from pre-anthesis to grain filling. Agronomy Journal,
reach yield rates close to the crop’s fall potential. v.87, p.1221-1225, 1995.
On the other hand, N use efficiency is usually DWYER, L.M.; TOLLENAAR, M. Genetic improvement in photosynthetic
response of hybrid maize cultivars 1959 to 1988. Canadian Journal of
higher when applications are carried out when maize has Plant Science, v.69, p.81-89, 1989.
three to eight expanded leaves (Amado et al., 2002). At DWYER, L.M.; TOLLENAAR, M.; STEWART, D.W. Changes in plant
each total N rate, yield was always higher when all or density dependence of leaf photosynthesis of maize (Zea mays L.)
hybrids, 1959 to 1988. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, v.71, p.1-
most N was applied before silking than when part of to- 11, 1991.
tal N was applied at silking (Table 4). This illustrates the EARL, H.J.; TOLLENAAR, M. Maize leaf absorptance of
importance of N fertilization during vegetative stage. As photosynthetically active radiation and its estimation using chlorophyll
meter. Crop Science, v.37, p.436-440, 1997.
a result, N applications at booting or silking should not HAGEMAN, R.H.; BELOW, F.E. The role of nitrogen in the productivity
be recommended as part of routine N application scheme, of corn. In: ANNUAL CORN & SORGHUM RESEARCH
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