Does the nitrogen application associated with Azospirillum brasilense inoculation influence corn nutrition and yield?

Elton M De Souza,Paulo R T Da Silva,Guilherme C Fernandes,Marcelo C M Teixeira Filho,Arthur C Dos Santos,Fernando S Galindo

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v23n1p53-59

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect between inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen application, thus enabling a higher efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, as evaluated by nutritional value, components production, and grain yield of irrigated corn. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, under a no-till system, on an Oxisol in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four replications, in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement: four patterns of nitrogen application [application of 30 kg ha-1 of N at sowing and 150 kg ha-1 as cover (30 + 150); 30 kg ha-1 of N at sowing, split into two applications of 75 kg ha-1 as cover (30 + 75 + 75); 180 kg ha-1 of N at sowing (180); and 150 kg ha-1 of N at sowing and 30 kg ha-1 as cover (150 + 30)]; with and without inoculation of the seeds with A. brasilense. The application of 30 kg ha-1 of N at sowing and a single application of 150 kg ha-1 or two applications of 75 kg ha-1 in topdressing, inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense provided better nutrition and development, with a positive reflection on irrigated corn grain yield in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Highlights

To obtain high yields of corn grain, it is necessary to apply high doses of nitrogen (N), because the soil does not have an adequate supply to meet the demand of this crop (Teixeira Filho et al, 2014; Galindo et al, 2016)
The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect between inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen application, enabling a higher efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, as evaluated by nutritional value, components production, and grain yield of irrigated corn
Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense positively influences stem diameter, number of grains per row, and mass of 100 grains, which reflects an increase in grain yield

Summary

Introduction

To obtain high yields of corn grain, it is necessary to apply high doses of nitrogen (N), because the soil does not have an adequate supply to meet the demand of this crop (Teixeira Filho et al, 2014; Galindo et al, 2016). Corn, and rice crops utilize approximately 60% of the N fertilizer produced in the world (Espindula et al, 2014). Both nitrogen fertilizer production and application contribute to CO2 and NO2 gases that contribute to an increase in the greenhouse effect on Earth (Xu et al, 2012). In this context, one possibility for increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization is the use of inoculants containing bacteria that promote growth and increase plant productivity. The analysis of results from a large number of field trials with various nonlegume crops, conducted worldwide over 20 years under different soil and weather conditions, has demonstrated that yield can be increased up to 30% (Fukami et al, 2016, 2017) in response to inoculation with Azospirillum

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