Azospirillum brasilense E DOSES DE NITROGÊNIO NO CULTIVO DE MILHO-DOCE

Abstract

Brazil is one of the world’s largest corn producers and has a strong potential for sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata group) production, which is primarily cultivated in the state of Goiás. Like other types of maize, sweet corn has a high nitrogen fertilization requirement, but its inefficient use can increase costs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of seed-inoculated Azospirillum brasilense in combination with different nitrogen rates on the productive traits of sweet corn plants in the brazilian cerrado biome. The experiment was carried out over two years at the Instituto Federal Goiano, Morrinhos Campus, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments followed a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of inoculation or not with Azospirillum and five nitrogen topdressing rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha⁻¹). The evaluated variables were plant height and ear insertion height, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, ear yield, and grain yield. In the first year, inoculation led to a 4.3% increase in chlorophyll index and a 10.3% increase in ear yield but had no significant effect on other variables. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in the largest stem diameter and highest leaf nitrogen content at higher doses but did not affect ear yield.