Qualitative and quantitative aspects must be considered in the side-dressing fertilization in the cultivation of corn. This study aimed to evaluate in the counties of Votuporanga (SP) and Uberlândia (MG), the effect on productivity of corn using different mixtures of granules in the side-dressing fertilization, containing nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S). In Votuporanga (SP), in an Argisol (120 g kg-1 of clay) were estimated losses through volatilization of NH3-N granules mix consisting of urea (U) + ammonium sulfate (AS) or U + Gypsum applied in the first split of nitrogen application. In Uberlândia (MG) in ácric Red Latossol typical Cerrado phase clayed (720 g kg-1), was given the distribution of N- and S-inorganic sulphate in depth, after application the granules mix, and assessment of the costs of implementing these sources. The experiments were installed in randomized block design with four repetitions, and granules mix applied to surface in between the row of plants. In Votuporanga (SP), were installed two experiments: first crop 2005/2006 and second-crop 2006. In the first crop, four treatments of side-dressing were compared: zero NSK, urea+ammonium sulphate with different particles size (U+ASfa), urea+gypsum granulated (U+Gypsum gr) and urea+gypsum powder (U+Gypsum powder), applied in two times of 45 kg ha-1 of N each, in the respective stages of five to six leaves and 12 to 13 leaves. The losses of NH3-N were 45.9, 56.6 and 61.1 % of the N-applied in the forms U+ASfa, U+Gypsum powder and U+Gypsum gr, respectively. In spite of the losses of U+ASfa to be inferior to the other two sources, the productivity didn't show significant difference among those treatments, being on average of 5.362 kg ha-1. In the second crop, the treatment urea+ammonium sulphate granule (U+ASgr) was included. The formulations were applied in N doses of 50 kg ha-1 each, in the stages of four and six to seven leaves, respectively. The grain productivity was similar between the sources of U+AS and U+Gypsum, being on average of 5.332 kg ha-1. In Uberlândia (MG), the same treatments as in second crop of Votuporanga (SP) were compared. The formulations were applied N in a single dose of 90 kg ha-1 of N in the corn stage of four to five leaves. The distribution of total mineral-N and sulphate-S were evaluated in depth until 60 cm, 30 days after the application of the formulations in side-dressing. The largest concentrations of total mineral-N were detected in the layer of 0-10 cm for all of the treatments (below 3 mg dm-3), decreasing in depth; however the sulfate-S was more concentrated among the layers of 10 down to 60 cm. The treatments of U+Gypsum presented the largest productivities, on average of 11.364 kg ha-1, in relation to the sources of U+AS (10.300 kg ha-1). The cost of application of U+Gypsum gr was 27,7 % superior for the mean costs of application of U+ASgr and U+ASfa, due to the smallest concentration of nitrogen and 7,8 % superior in relation to the total direct costs for hectare. The cost of application in relation to total cost of NK formulated with subsequent application of gypsum powder (U+Gypsum powder) was similar to U+Gypsum gr, due to the higher production cost and the duplication of application handling. The results of both areas allow to conclude that the corn response was similar for the side-dressing of the mixed sources of U+AS and U+Gypsum, independently of the particle size and in soils of different texture, and that the costs of application of the forms urea+Gypsum, were superior to the formulated mixtures U+AS.
granulated mixtures; side-dressing; NH3-N volatilization
