Luis Sangoi

UNDERSTANDING PLANT DENSITY EFFECTS ON MAIZE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO MAXIMIZE GRAIN YIELD

Maize is the agronomic grass species that is most sensitive to variations in plant density. For each production system, there is a population that maximizes grain yield. This article presents an overview of the factors that affect optimum plant population, emphasizingthe effects of dense stands on ear development and discussing important changes in plant traits that have contributed to increase the tolerance of modern hybrids to high plant densities. Population for maize maximum economic grain yield varies from 30,000 to over 90,000pl.ha-1, depending on water availability, soil fertility, maturity rating, planting date and row spacing. When the number of individuals per area is increased beyond the optimum plant density, there is a series of consequences that are detrimental to ear ontogeny and result in barrenness. First, ear differentiation is delayed in relation to tassel differentiation. Later-initiated earshoots have a reduced growth rate, resulting in fewer spikelet primordia transformed into functional florets by the time of flowering. Functional florets extrude silks slowly, decreasing the number of fertilized spikelets due to the lack of synchrony between anthesis and silking. Limitations in carbon and nitrogen supply to the ear stimulate young kernel abortion immediately after fertilization. Availability of earlier hybrids, with shorter plant height, lower leaf number, upright leaves, smaller tassels and better synchrony between male and female flowering time has enhanced the ability of maize to face high plant populations without showing excessive barrenness. Improved endurance in high stands has allowed maize to intercept and use solar radiation more efficiently, contributing to the remarkable increase in grain yield potential experienced by this crop.

Efeitos da integração lavoura-pecuária nas propriedades físicas do solo e características da cultura do milho

The integration between agriculture and cattle-raising in some areas can restrict the use of no-tillage system in clayey soils, due to soil surface compaction, which restricts root growth and limits crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil physical properties and maize parameters caused by animal trampling preceding the summer crop, under two tillage systems. The degree of degradation of the cultivated soil compared to the native forest was also evaluated. The experiment was carried out in Lages, Southern Brazil, in an Ultisol, using conventional tillage and no-tillage with corn in the summer and oat in the winter for grazing. Macropores, micropores, total porosity, bulk density, saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, resistance to penetration and corn parameters were determined. The pressure applied by animal trampling and soil management systems degraded the soil structure in comparison to the native forest. This was observed by the reduction of the macropores, total porosity and saturated soil hydraulic conductivity and through an increase of the bulk density. Under the no-tillage system, there was an increase of the resistance to penetration, mainly in the layer of 0 to 0,15 m. These alterations in soil structure reduced maize plant height, number of green leaves, weight and number of grains per ear under no-tillage compared to conventional tillage. Such observations show the evidence that growers should avoid the use of heavy machines and animal trampling under no-tillage, particularly in clayey soils and when soil moisture is above the friability point.

Incremento na densidade de plantas: uma alternativa para aumentar o rendimento de grãos de milho em regiões de curta estação estival de crescimento

The development of earlier hybrids, with shorter plant height, lower leaf number and upright leaves has increased maize potential adaptability to withstand high plant densities. This trend may be emphasized on the high lands of Southern Brazil due to their mild Spring and Summer temperatures and shorter maize growing season. Four trials were carried out, aiming to investigate the viability of using higher than recommended plant populations, as an alternative to improve grain yield. The maize hybrids Cargill 901 and XL 370 were evaluated at several plant populations, ranging from 37000 to 100000pl ha-1, under different management situations. In three out of four experiments, plant populations above 60000pl ha-1 maximized grain yield. The greater competition among individuals verified at high plant populations did not decrease substantially the number of ears per plant, which contributed to improve maize adaptation to high plant densities. Therefore, for regions with a short growing season, the use of early small stature maize hybrids may be accompanied by an increment in plant population up to a value varying between 65000 and 80000pl ha-1. This is conceivable as long as there is adequate soil fertility, water availability and stem lodging resistant genotypes.^lpt^aO surgimento de novos cultivares de milho, de ciclo mais curto, estatura reduzida, menor numero de folhas e folhas mais eretas aumentou o potencial de resposta da cultura a densidade de plantas. Essa tendencia pode ser acentuada nos planaltos do Sul do Brasil, que apresentam temperatura media nos meses mais quentes inferiores a 22°C, o que resulta em menor estacao estival de crescimento. Quatro experimentos foram conduzidos objetivando avaliar a viabilidade de se trabalhar com densidade de plantas maiores do que as atualmente recomendadas para esta regiao, como uma forma de aumentar o rendimento de graos. Nestes experimentos, submeteram-se os hibridos Cargill 901 e XL 370 a uma populacao que variou de 37.000 a 100.000pl ha-1, sob diferentes situacoes de manejo. Em tres dos quatro experimentos realizados, o uso de densidade de plantas superior a 60.000plha-1 maximizou o rendimento de graos. A maior competicao intraespecifica verificada nas densidades mais elevadas nao reduziu drasticamente o numero de espigas por planta, o que contribuiu para a melhor adaptacao da cultura a densidades elevadas. Dessa forma, para locais com estacao estival de crescimento mais curta, o uso de cultivares precoces, de menor porte, pode ser acompanhado pelo incremento na densidade para valores compreendidos entre 65.000 e 80.000pl ha-1. Isso e possivel desde que se tenha bom nivel de fertilidade no solo, boa disponibilidade hidrica e cultivares resistentes ao acamamento.^len^aThe development of earlier hybrids, with shorter plant height, lower leaf number and upright leaves has increased maize potential adaptability to withstand high plant densities. This trend may be emphasized on the high lands of Southern Brazil due to their mild Spring and Summer temperatures and shorter maize growing season. Four trials were carried out, aiming to investigate the viability of using higher than recommended plant populations, as an alternative to improve grain yield. The maize hybrids Cargill 901 and XL 370 were evaluated at several plant populations, ranging from 37000 to 100000pl ha-1, under different management situations. In three out of four experiments, plant populations above 60000pl ha-1 maximized grain yield. The greater competition among individuals verified at high plant populations did not decrease substantially the number of ears per plant, which contributed to improve maize adaptation to high plant densities. Therefore, for regions with a short growing season, the use of early small stature maize hybrids may be accompanied by an increment in plant population up to a value varying between 65000 and 80000pl ha-1. This is conceivable as long as there is adequate soil fertility, water availability and stem lodging resistant genotypes.

Leaf relative chlorophyll content as an indicator parameter to predict nitrogen fertilization in maize

The development of a portable chlorophyll meter (SPAD 502), that takes instantaneous measurements of greenness without leaf destruction, has emerged as a new tool to assess plant N status. This trial was carried out to determine the adequate SPAD readings to predict maize nitrogen needs in four growth stages. The experiment was conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, during the 1998/ 99 growing season. Treatments were two maize hybrids (Pioneer 32R21 and Cargill 901) and nine side-dressed nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600kg ha -1 ). Nitrogen was side-dressed at the soil surface in four equal doses, according to the levels established on each treatment. The first, second, third and fourth applications were made in the stages of three to four, six to seven, 10 to 11 and 14 to 15 fully expanded leaves, respectively. Urea was used as the N source. Since there was no difference in the SPAD readings among maize hybrids, average values at each stage were used. Readings were carried out in the stages of three to four, six to seven, 10 to 11 fully expanded leaves and at silking. Chlorophyll evaluation samples were taken at twothirds of the distance from the leaf tip towards the stem. The two upper leaves were sampled on each growth stage before maize flowering. The index leaf (first leaf below the ear) was evaluated during silking. Chlorophyll meter readings above 45.4, 52.1, 55.3, and 58.0 represented the adequate values for the stages of three to four, six to seven, 10 to 11 expanded leaves and at silking, respectively, to achieve high grain yield. The variation in SPAD readings were highest in the early stages of plant growth.

A desuniformidade de emergência reduz o rendimento de grãos de milho

High maize grain yields are related to a fast, complete and regular plant emergence. This experiment was carried out in Lages, SC, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the effects of an uneven plant emergence on maize grain yield at different plant populations. A split plot design was used, with the main plots disposed in randomized complete blocks. Four plant populations, equivalent to 40,000, 60,000, 80,000 and 100,000 pl.ha-1 were tested in the main plots. Different levels of unevenness in plant emergence were analyzed in the split plots by varying the sowing dates of adjacent hills inside each as it follows: 1 - even emergence (0-0-0-0); 2 - unevenness of 12 days (0-12-0-12); 3 - unevenness of 19 days (0-19-0-19); 4 - unevenness of 12 and 19 days (0-12-19-0-12-19). The increase in plant population up to 76,500 pl.ha-1 enhanced grain yield to 12,900kg.ha-1. At this plant population, the difference in yield grain per hectare among treatments with even and uneven emergence was nearly 2,900kg. This indicates that under similar productivity levels replanting maize may be on economically viable option. Besides reducing grain yield, uneven emergence also limited maize response to the increment in plant population.

Grain yield and kernel crude protein content increases of maize hybrids with late nitrogen side-dressing

Physiological changes incorporated into current maize hybrids suggest the occurrence of modifications in the nitrogen uptake dynamics, improving plant ability to uptake N during grain filling. This may justify late N side-dressing whenever environmental constraints prevent adequate nitrogen supply during crops vegetative development. This study evaluates effects of nitrogen fertilization at booting and silking on grain yield and kernel crude protein contents of commercial maize hybrids. Two experiments were set up in Eldorado do Sul, RS, during the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 growing seasons. In 2001/2002, treatments were composed of two hybrids (Agroceres 303 and Pioneer 32R21), three nitrogen rates applied during maize vegetative development (30, 80 and 130 kg ha -1 ) and three nitrogen rates applied at silking (0, 50 and 100 kg ha -1 ). In 2002/2003, four hybrids (Agroceres 303, Pioneer 32R21, Dekalb 215 and Syngenta Penta) and four nitrogen rates side-dressed at booting (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha -1 ) were assessed. There were significant increments in grain yield and kernel crude protein content with nitrogen fertilization at booting and silking. Grain yield response to late N side-dressing differed among cultivars. The impact of nitrogen fertilization at silking was higher at the smallest rate of N during the plant vegetative development. Enhancements in grain yield with late N side-dressing resulted from increases in grain weight. Modern hybrids can uptake nitrogen during silking, contradicting the hypothesis that late N side-dressing is not efficient to improve maize grain yield.

Maize response to nitrogen fertilization timing in two tillage systems in a soil with high organic matter content

No-tillage systems, associated to black oat as preceding cover crop, have been increasingly adopted. This has motivated anticipated maize nitrogen fertilization, transferring it from the side-dress system at the stage when plants have five to six expanded leaves to when the preceding cover crop is eliminated or to maize sowing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil tillage system and timing of N fertilization on maize grain yield and agronomic efficiency of N applied to a soil with high organic matter content. A three-year field experiment was conducted in Lages, state of Santa Catarina, from 1999 onwards. Treatments were set up in a split plot arrangement. Two soil tillage systems were tested in the main plots: conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). Six N management systems were assessed in the split-plots: S1 - control, without N application; S2 - all N (100 kg ha-1) applied at oat desiccation; S3 - all N applied at maize sowing; S4 - all N side-dressed when maize had five expanded leaves (V5 growth stage); S5 - 1/3 of N rate applied at maize sowing and 2/3 at V5; S6 - 2/3 of nitrogen rate applied at maize sowing and 1/3 at V5. Maize response to the time and form of splitting N was not affected by the soil tillage system. Grain yield ranged from 6.0 to 11.8 t ha-1. The anticipation of N application (S2 and S3) decreased grain yield in two of three years. In the rainiest early spring season (2000/2001) of the experiment, S4 promoted an yield advantage of 2.2 t ha-1 over S2 and S3. Application of total N rate before or at sowing decreased the number of kernels produced per ear in 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 and the number of ears produced per area in 2001/2002, resulting in reduced grain yield. The agronomic efficiency of applied N (kg grain increase/kg of N applied) ranged from 13.9 to 38.8 and was always higher in the S4 than in the S2 and S3 N systems. Short-term N immobilization did not reduce grain yield when no N was applied before or at maize sowing in a soil with high organic matter content, regardless of the soil tillage system.

Níveis de manejo na cultura do milho em dois ambientes contrastantes: análise técnico-econômica

The cropping strategies used on different maize production systems aim to maximize technically and economically the growers profit at each environmental condition. However, they do not allow a comparative analysis among different management strategies at an specific place neither provide the evaluation of their efficiency at different environments. This work was carried out to assess the technical and economical return of five maize management strategies at two contrasting environments. Two experiments were conducted in Southern Brazil during the growing season of 2000/2001: one in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, and the other in Lages, Santa Catarina. Five production systems, corresponding to different management levels and grain yield expectations, were tested at each experimental site. S1, S2 and S3 represented management levels to obtain low (< 3 ton ha-1), medium (from 3 to 6 ton ha-1) and high grain yield, respectively. S4 and S5 were designed to optimize grain yield. The grain yield and gross income per hectare increased with the improvement in management strategies at both study sites. In Eldorado do Sul, it ranged from 3.0 to 15.0 t ha-1 and R

Volatilização de N-NH3 em decorrência da forma de aplicação de uréia,manejo de resíduos e tipo de solo, em laboratório

104.86 to R

Desempenho agronômico e econômico do milho em diferentes níveis de manejo e épocas de semeadura

724.77. In Lages, it varied from 3.2 a 15.9 t ha-1 and 131.27 to 1,093.25. Maize presented higher economical return in Lages than in Eldorado do Sul, specially in the cropping systems proposed to optimize grain yield.