Morphologycal components and dry matter accumulation in corn as a function of liming and zinc fertilization

Abstract

Corn is one of the plants which are very responsible for zinc application in the soil that results on the increasing of plant dry matter and grain yield. On the other hand, zinc avaiability and uptake are negatively influencied by pH values, basis saturation and phosphorus avaiability in the soil. In order to study the effect of liming and the interactions with zinc, including their residual effects on dry matter accumulation and development in corn (Zea mays L. cv. triple hybrid XL 370), three experiments were carried out, under greenhouse conditions, in pots filled with 20 kg of a na Haplortox. A 3x3 completely randomized design, with four replicates, was utilized. Trataments consisted of liming to reach basis saturation of 15, 50 and 70%, combined with three zinc levels in the soil (0,70, 5 and 10 mg dm-3). Two corn plants per pot were grown until 57 days after emergence, when plant dry matter was measured. Analysis of plant development was made weekly, by determining height, number of leaves and average internode length per plant. Application of zinc did not alter the plant development. Plant height increased with the liming. The increasing of lime levels resulted in increased dry matter yield and calcium and magnesium concentration in the leaves and culms. The application of zinc increased the Zn concentration in plant dry matter. Residual effect of liming and zinc on promoted an increasing the plant dry matter.