NITROGEN VOLATILIZATION APPLIED TO CORN CULTIVATED IN THE SOUTHERN AMAZON

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most limiting nutrients for the development and productivity of corn plants. This generates the need to seek sources of N of high efficiency, since one of the main problems of its use are losses to the environment, especially through volatilization. Therefore, in this study, the objective was to evaluate the production components and the volatilization of N according to the application of sources and increasing doses of nitrogen in corn plants, cultivated in an agricultural area located in the Southern Amazon. Combinations of two nitrogen sources (common urea and urea with urease inhibitor) and five doses of N (0, 65, 130, 195 and 260 kg ha(-1)) were studied with four replications. The doses between 180 to 200 kg ha(-1) of N positively influenced the production components and productivity of corn, regardless of the nitrogen sources used. Urea with urease inhibitor promoted a reduction in ammonia volatilization at doses above 195 kg ha(-1) of N, in a corn cultivation area when compared to conventional urea.