Performance of Corn Cultivars in Different Row Spacing and Types of Fertilizations

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the productivity and production components of two cultivars of corn for different types of fertilization and row spacings on irrigated farming system. Study Design: It was adopted a randomized block design at 3 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment with four replications, the treatments consisted of three fertilization (OF - Organic Fertilization; OMF – Organomineral Fertilization and MF - Mineral Fertilization), two cultivars of corn (Bras 3010 and Potiguar) and two row spacings (80 cm and 50 cm). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out from June to October 2013, at Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, in the community of Alagoinha, belonging to the  Federal Rural University of Semi-Arido (UFERSA), lying 20 km from the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Methodology: The organic fertilization (OF) was performed as minimum recommendation corresponding to 10 t ha-1 of bovine manure. The organomineral fertilization (OMF) was made by applying 50% of the recommended amount of manure recommended in organic fertilization (OF), 5 t ha-1, and 50% of the recommendation of mineral fertilizer (MF). The mineral fertilization (MF) was performed based on the parameters observed in the soil analysis and recommendation for the corn crop in the region due to an expected maximum productivity. Results: The study showed that the mineral fertilization (MF) provided an increase in the productivity components of both evaluated, the hybrid variety Bras 3010 and Potiguar. The OMF did not show significant differences regarding the MF in production components of corn cultivars evaluated. Conclusion: Components of production and productivity of corn cultivars were incremented when using the spacing of 80 cm between rows. The variety Potiguar corn had higher grain productivity compared with the Bras 3010 hybrid when used the organic fertilization.