Association between azospirillum brasilense bacteria and nitrogen fertilization in corn production components

Abstract

The combined use of nitrogen (N) with bacteria Azospirillum brasilense can improve the components of corn production and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the application of Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen fertilizer on corn production components. The experiment was set in a randomized block design, in a 5x4 factorial scheme, with five doses of Azospirillum brasilense (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 ml per 20 kg of seed), BR 11005 strain (Sp 245) and four doses of N (0, 50,100, 150 kg ha-1) applied in the V6phenological stage, using urea (45% N) as a source of N, with three replications. It was evaluated the number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row, ear diameter, thousand grain weight and grain yield. The use of Azospirillum brasilense strain BR 11005 (Sp 245) isolated or associated with N doses does not influence the productive characters of corn. The dose of 50 kg ha-1 N in coverage is recommended to corn crops, as it promoted greater economic returns, regardless of the Azospirillum brasilense dose that was used.