AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE UNDER Azospirillum brasilense INOCULATION AND TOP-DRESSING NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

Resumo

Maize inoculation with bacteria of the genus Azospirillum can reduce the consumption of nitrogen fertilizers to obtain maximum grain yield. In this context, the aim was to evaluate the effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen fertilization on the maize agronomic performance. A randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme with four replicates. Four inoculation managements with Azospirillum brasilense (T0 - control without inoculation; TC2 - seed box inoculation, 200x10⁸ viable cells ha^-1; TC3 - seed box inoculation, 400x10⁸ viable cells ha^-1; TS1 - previous inoculation of the seeds, 600x10⁸ viable cells ha^-1) associated with four top-dressing N doses (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^-1), applied at maize stage V₆ by urea. Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense associated with top-dressing nitrogen fertilization increases the number of grain rows per ear, number of grains per row, number of grains per ear and grain yield of maize, mainly due to its positive effects on plant nutrition. Managements with seed box inoculation with 400x10⁸ viable cells per ha (TC3) and inoculation in seed pre-treatment (TS1) are the most recommended for maize.