Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cropping systems (single and twin-rows) and N fertilizer rates in the second top-dressing on the agronomic performance and relative economic returns of maize. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with subplots and three repetitions. The plots were composed of two cropping systems: single and twin-rows. The subplots consisted of six rates of N fertilizer, applied in the second top-dressing fertilization in the V8 phenological stage (eight fully developed leaves) of maize: 0, 14, 28, 56, and 70 kg ha-1 of N. The first application of N top-dressing fertilization (rate of 140 kg ha-1 N) was during the V4 phenological stage (four fully developed leaves) in all treatments. The cropping system of twin-rows provides a higher grain yield and relative economic return of maize. The agronomic efficiency of the twin-row cropping system decreases with increasing N rates, but remains higher than that obtained in the single-row system, independent of the N fertilizer top-dressing rate.. The application of the second N top-dressing fertilization in the V8 phenological stage increases linearly with the grain yield and relative economic return of maize, independent of the cropping system.
Highlights
In Brazil, maize is cultivated during two seasons, in a total area equivalent to 16.8 million ha (Conab, 2018)
Studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of different plant arrangements and spacings on maize yield, aiming to increase the grain yield without increasing the crop production costs (Lacerda et al, 2015)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cropping systems and N fertilizer rate in the second top-dressing, on the agronomic performance and relative economic returns for maize
Summary
In Brazil, maize is cultivated during two seasons, in a total area equivalent to 16.8 million ha (Conab, 2018). Studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of different plant arrangements and spacings on maize yield, aiming to increase the grain yield without increasing the crop production costs (Lacerda et al, 2015). Among these studies, the use of maize sowing at reduced spacing (0.45 m to 0.60 m) and twin-rows (0.45 m x 0.90 m) can be highlighted. Little is known about the effects of these new production systems on the agronomic attributes of maize
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