Produtividade de milho em um latossolo submetido a calagem e gessagem

Abstract

The present work consisted of the application of calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate in soil cultivated with corn, with the aim of minimizing the effects of periods of water deficit by improving some chemical attributes of the soil, in depth. The adoption of practices that favor the growth of the corn root system in depth can improve crop performance, translated into greater grain yield by minimizing the effects of abiotic stresses. Liming results in a decrease in soil acidity, with a consequent increase in pH to a value suitable for the corn crop to express its productivity potential. The practice of plastering contributes to the reduction in aluminum saturation and the increase in the availability of calcium and sulfur at depth, which can favor root growth and greater exploitation of the soil volume, in order to allow plants to have greater availability of water and nutrients. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized block design with 6 treatments: T1: control, without application; T2: 4 t/ha of incorporated limestone; T3: 3.2 t/ha of plaster on surface; T4: 1 t/ha of limestone on the surface; T5: 1 t/ha of limestone + 3.2 t/ha of gypsum, both on the surface; 6: 1 t/ha of limestone + 1.6 t/ha of gypsum, both on the surface. They were established in 4 replications. The experimental units were cultivated with corn. The statistical data obtained with the variables evaluated were subjected to analysis of variance using the Sisvar software and the means were compared using Tukey's tests. There were no effects of the treatments on the variables dry mass of the index leaf, leaf contents of potassium, calcium, magnesium and on grain productivity in the corn crop. The liming and plastering practices, under the conditions under which the experiment was carried out, did not increase the yield potential of the corn crop, in the first cultivation after the implementation of the practices.