Nitrogen rates on the agronomic performance of second-crop corn single and intercropped with ruzigrass or showy rattlebox

ABSTRACT Topdressing nitrogen (N) rates may alter the second-crop corn performance, and this response may vary if the corn is grown single or intercropped with grass or leguminous species. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of topdressing N rates on the growth and productive performance of second-crop corn grown single or intercropped with ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) or showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with a split-plot arrangement and four replications. The plots consisted of corn grown single or intercropped with ruzigrass or showy rattlebox, while the subplots consisted of N rates (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1). The evaluated variables were: SPAD index at R1; normalized difference vegetation index at V4 and V7; leaf area at R1; leaf and total corn dry mass at R1; grain and total corn dry mass at R6; number of ears per plant and grains per ear; 1,000-grain mass; and grain yield. In the absence of N fertilization and with topdressing of 60 kg ha-1 of N, the intercropping with U. ruziziensis reduces the growth and productive performance of second-crop corn. The topdressing N fertilization for second-crop corn intercropped with U. ruziziensis minimizes the forage competition on corn growth and provides a productive performance similar to monocropping from 120 kg ha-1 of N. The intercropping with C. spectabilis does not change the corn growth and productive performance, as well as the response to the topdressing N rates, when compared to monocropping, in the second crop cultivation.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sapucay,Moryb Jorge Lima da Costa, Coelho,Antonio Eduardo, Bratti,Felipe, Locatelli,Jorge Luiz, Sangoi,Luis, Balbinot Junior,Alvadi Antonio, Zucareli,Claudemir
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Escola de Agronomia/UFG 2020
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1983-40632020000100253
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