Corn (Zea mays L.) is usually cultivated after winter cereals under no-tillage in southern Brazil. During the decomposition of plant residues, nitrogen (N) can be imobilized and limit plant growth. In order to evaluate the effect of timings and methods of N application on corn yields, five experiments were carried out during 1997 to 2002, under no-tillage. Black oat (Avena strigosa Schrieb) was used as a preceding cover crop, beeing desiccated at anthesis. Randomized blocks were used as experimental design, with four replications, and 8 to 12 treatments. N was applied to the soil by different methods (on the surface, broadcasted and incorporated) and timing (before seeding, at seeding, and at seeding + topdressing), at the rate of 100kg ha-1, as urea. At the first year (1997/98), a very high amount of rain fell during the months of September and October, before and shortly after corn emergence. In this season, higher grain yield was obtained by the treatments with topdressed N than by all other treatments, which were lower and similar among themselves. In the subsequent years, with less rainfall, no significant differences were observed among treatments, except in the 2000/2001 season, for the treatments in which N was broadcasted before seeding. Considering the average yield, no differences were observed among the timings of N application. On the average, incorporation of N, at any of the three timings of N application, indicated a tendency to generate about 5 % higher grain yields than soil surface application.
Zea mays; urea; residues of black oat
