Inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen doses in maize for grain production

Abstract

Nitrogen is the most required element and the one that most frequently limits productivity in maize crop. In recent years, the interest in technologies that contribute to increase the production indices, without entailing a greater consumption of inputs, is notable. In this context, the use of bacteria of the genus Azospirillum brasilense appears as a promising alternative in order to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers in maize crop, having as a consequence reduced production costs. This work involved two maize genotypes (AS1572 VTPRO and 30B39H) inoculated with A. brasilense, associated with five nitrogen doses in coverage (0, 60, 120, 240 and 480 kg ha^-1). No signifi­cant interaction was observed between the genotypes used and the inoculation by Azospirillum brasilense. There was interaction between the nitrogen doses and the tested genotypes, indicating that the genetic factors of the plant should also be considered at the moment of recommendation of the nitrogen fertilization for the maize crop. The cultivar AS1572 obtained a higher grain yield when compared to the cultivar 30B39H. A total of 9,327 kg ha^-1 was achieved using 240 kg ha^-1 nitrogen, and 7,896.29 with 480 kg ha^-1 nitrogen, for the cultivars AS1572 and 30B39H, respectively.