Rentabilidade do Milho com Uso de Diferentes Fontes e Épocas de Aplicação de Nitrogênio

Abstract

Profitability of corn with the use of different nitrogen sources and application timings. Due to the large supply relative to demand, the current scenario for corn is concerning, with tight profit margins. Producers need to control crop costs and ensure good productivity. In the case of corn, nitrogen fertilization is indispensable. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and production costs of second-crop corn with the application of different nitrogen sources at different vegetative stages of the crop. The experiment was conducted in Costa Rica – MS, during the second crop of 2023. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with 6 treatments + control and five replications. The nitrogen doses were distributed as follows: 40+40 at V1 and V3 (kg ha-1 of N), 40+40 at V3 and V6 (kg ha-1 of N), and 80 at V3 (kg ha-1 of N), using these doses for both ammonium sulfate and urea. Productivity, thousand-grain weight, and cost analysis were evaluated. With the cost and productivity data, three different price scenarios were established to calculate the profitability of the treatments. The highest productivities, depending on the nitrogen source used, were obtained in treatments that received split nitrogen, while supplying nitrogen in a single dose resulted in lower productivities and consequently, lower profitability.