Influence of seeding density and nitrogen doses on irrigated corn productivity

Abstract

Corn is one of the main cereals cultivated in the world and evaluating management strategies that specifically contribute to increasing the productivity of this crop is of fundamental importance. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the yield and productivity components of irrigated corn as a function of seeding density and nitrogen doses in the 2022/23 harvest, in Cachoeira do Sul – RS. The hybrid Forseed 400 was sown on 08/26/22 in the experimental design of randomized blocks with split plots, in the scheme. Factor A consisted of three sowing densities, interrupting the same row spacing of 0.45 m and changing the distribution of plants per linear meter, as follows: i) 3.1 seeds m^-1 ii) 3.8 seeds m ^-1 and iii) 4.8 seeds m^-1; the factor “B by two doses of nitrogen (N) in top dressing, with fractional application of urea in the phenological stages of V4 (50%) and V8 (50%), totaling: i) 150 kg N ha^-1 and ii) 250 kg N ha^-1. Throughout the cycle, 18 irrigations were carried out via conventional sprinkler, totaling 262 mm to supplement the 329 mm of rain. Corn productivity was maximum 12,593.7 kg ha^-1 at the highest sowing density and with the highest dose of N.