Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the nutrients required in large amounts by plants and mostly influences corn yield. With the objective of evaluating the best timing and methods of N fertilizer application in topdressing on corn, this experiment was carried out in Ipameri County, State of Goiás, Brazil, on a Red Yellow Latossol (Ferralsol). The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The applied treatments were: control: 100% N applied on the surface after planting; 100% N applied on the surface in V4 phase; 50% N applied on the surface at V4 and 50% N applied on the surface at V6 phases; 100% N applied on the surface in V6 phase; 100% N applied in continuous fillet at V4 phase; 100% N applied in continuous fillet at V6 phase; 50% N in continuous fillet applied at V4 and 50% N in continuous fillet applied at V6 phases. The data were subjected to variance analysis by test 'F' and the means were compared by Tukey test (P <0.05). The nitrogen fertilization increased the length of ears with and without husk, the diameter of ear without husk, ears green yield with and without husk, number of grains per row and grain yield. The N application mode in continuous fillet provided greater averages for the characteristics evaluated. The N application time influences the absorption and accumulation of N in the shoots of corn.

Key words: Absorption, nitrogen fertilization, application methods, nutrition.