Influence of amount and parceling of nitrogen fertilizer on productivity and industrial revenue of sweet corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Brazil's potential to produce sweet corn is very high, but due to lack of research, the sweet corn crop fertilization is strongly based on fertilization performed to the common corn (mature grain). Among the nutrients, the nitrogen has important effect upon sweet corn productivity and industrial revenue. We conducted an irrigated field experiment in Guaira, São Paulo, Brazil from 22 April to 15 August 2013 in an acric and eutrophic Latosol soil to verify the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization on sweet corn (GSS 41243) productivity and industrial revenue. The treatment replicates were distributed in a 6 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design at six dose levels of N (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 kg ha-1) and two dose-parceling procedures, P1 and P2. The doses of N fertilizer were applied in P1 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 days after sowing and in P2 0, 14, 28, and 42 days after sowing. The dose of 300 kg N ha-1 produced the highest total yield of sweet corn and marketable ears. The dose of 188 kg N ha-1, however, produced the highest industrial revenue of 0.239 g of grains kg-1 of ears. The parceling of the N doses in eight or four applications did not affect the productivity or the industrial revenue of the sweet corn.