Abstract
A single application of polymer-sulfur coated urea (PSCU) and conventional urea (U) is expected to ensure nitrogen (N) throughout the maize (Zea mays L.) growth cycle being U the likely main N-fertilizer supplier at the beginning and PSCU during the maize growth cycle. This research aimed to evaluate N fertilization management (split, incorporated, and broadcast application) and fertilizer blends (30%PSCU + 70%U and 70%PSCU + 30%U) on volatilization of ammonia (AV) and soil N mineral content (NM); plant N uptake (NU) and 15N-fertilizer recovery (NR); and yield (GY). Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons (2017–2018 and 2019–2020) in Rhodic Eutrustox soil. U was treated with NBPT (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide). N rate was 180 kg ha−1. AV reached 12% of the applied N (broadcast-applied 70%PSCU + 30%U, 2017–2018). The 30%PSCU + 70%U application resulted in higher NM at 40–60 cm depth in vegetative and reproductive stages in both seasons. The 70%PSCU + 30%U application resulted in the highest GY in 2017–2018, and the N treatments did not affect GY in 2019–2020. NR was 3% on average at vegetative leaf stage 4 (V4), and PSCU, the main N-fertilizer supplier applying 70%PSCU + 30%U. After V4, the main N-fertilizer supplier is PSCU for 70%PSCU + 30%U and U for 30%PSCU + 70%U application. These blends (incorporated, broadcast, and split application) can ensure N during the maize growth cycle, with NR of 72.5% at maturity (R6) being 47.9% in the grain.
Highlights
Conventional urea is the nitrogen source most used in maize (Zea mays L.) production in China [1]and Brazil, the second and third world’s largest maize producer [2], respectively
The cost of the polymer-sulfur coated urea (PSCU) is higher than the U treated with NBPT, and broadcast application tends to be cheaper than incorporated application and split application
In Rhodic Eutrustox soil, blends of PSCU and U treated with NBPT
Summary
Conventional urea is the nitrogen source most used in maize (Zea mays L.) production in China [1]and Brazil, the second and third world’s largest maize producer [2], respectively. Its lower acquisition cost and higher N content than other N sources (i.e., ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate), U is more prone to ammonia volatilization losses when applied on the soil surface, reducing N use efficiency (NUE) in maize [3]. The polymers and their micropores provide the U dissolution by diffusion with the soil humidity controlling the N release. It improves the synchronism of N release and maize needs [9], increasing NUE [10] by reducing ammonia losses [11]
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