Fertilization, grain yield and profitability of the rotation between soybean and corn in soil with improved fertility

Abstract:

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of fertilization on P and K levels in soil with improved fertility, and to identify N, P, and K doses needed to provide the greatest profitability in a rotation between soybean and corn in these soils. The experiment was carried out for three harvest seasons, in a farm with high technological investment, in a clayey Oxisol from Cerrado with high fertility. A randomized complete block design was used, in a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Treatments consisted of 0, 50, 100, and 150% of the recommended rates of NPK on sowing (plots), and of KCl (soybean) and N (corn) at topdressing. Even after three harvests, P (Mehlich-1) contents remained unchanged in the soil without fertilization. Moreover, soybean yield did not decrease in the absence of fertilization. However, corn was more sensible to the reduction of fertilization, with the maximum economic return obtained with 312 kg ha^-1 of the 10-32-10 fertilizer formulation, and of 263 kg ha^-1 urea at topdressing. Soils with improved fertility demand adjustments of fertilization management for the efficient use of fertilizers in crops with high technological investment.

Index terms:
crop system fertilization; fertilizer saving; maximum economic efficiency; no tillage; efficient use of fertilizers.