The objective in this study was to evaluate the effect of a rooter, applied through treatment of the seeds, on the physiological quality of seeds, as well as the effect of leaf fertilization on the productivity of the corn crop. For field research, hybrid corn seeds were treated with the fungicide Tegram® both with and without the Wiser rooter in the dosage of 200 mL/100kg of seeds. Seeds were sown both with and without fertilization and after 30 and 60 days of the sowing, leaves were fertilized with Fitofos K Plus®. After 21 days, the population, corn ear and pennant height, quantity of ears, final stand, and productivity were evaluated. This research was constituted of portions subdivided in a 2x2x2 factorial system (leaf fertilization, soil fertilization, and rooter) in RBD. For laboratory research, 5 different lots of corn seeds were treated with the fungicide Tegram® both with and without the rooter in the dosage of 200 mL/100kg of seeds, constituting a 5x2 factorial system (lots and rooter) in RBD. Seed germination, bed- and vase sprout, aerial part dry matter and root dry matter were evaluated. The rooter has reduced the vigor of the corn seeds. In the field, the rooter and leaf fertilization have resulted in a larger number of ears per plant and higher corn crop productivity.
Rooter; leaf fertilization; germination; productivity; Zea mays
