Abstract

PAGANI, Agustín; ECHEVERRIA, Hernán E  and  SAINZ ROZAS, Hernan. Corn response to nitrogen and sulfur under different environments in the Province of Buenos Aires. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.1, pp.21-29. ISSN 1850-2067.

Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) are very important nutrients in corn production in the Pampas Region. However, there is not enough bibliographic evidence related to N and S effects and their interaction on grain yield response, N and S fertilizer use efficiency (EUFN and EUFS) and the economic benefit of fertilizing with N and S. The objective of this work was to evaluate N and S application effects on corn grain yield, EUFN and EUFS, and the fertilization economic return under different environments in the province of Buenos Aires. Two experiments with different N and S rates were conducted at Balcarce (Bce I and Bce II) and two at 9 de Julio (9dJ I and 9dJ II) during 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007- 08. No N-S interactions were found in any studied variable. Nitrogen application increased grain yield (p<0.01) up to 32, 15, 54 y 72% at Bce I, Bce II, 9dJ I and 9dJ II, respectively; whereas S application increased grain yield at Bce II, 9dJ I and 9dJ II (p<0.05) (maximum responses of 11, 10 and 22%, respectively). The EUFN was not systematically affected by S application. The EUFS did not change with increasing S rates, but it improved when N was applied at Bce II and 9dJ I. Fertilization economic return varied but it was favourable at high productivity environments with low soil availability of both nutrients (reaching maximum values of 4.16 $/$ invested in N at 9dJ I and of 18.56 $/$ invested in S at 9dJ II). It is imperative to continue studying N-S interactions in corn in order to adjust fertilizer recommendations.

Keywords : Corn; Nitrogen; Sulfur.

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