Zn rates and sources, added to a NPK granule formulation, and their effect on corn production

Abstract

Zinc rates and sources added to a NPK granulated fertilizer was observed on corn crop cultivated on a soil originally under "cerrado" vegetation from Uberlândia, MG region. Four zinc rates (0, 1 , 2 e 4 kg ha-1) derived from three types of zinc sources (ZnO-incorporated, FTE BR-12-incorporated and granule FTE BR-12) were used. The ZnO and the "Fritted Trace Elements" (FTE BR-12) were incorporated to the fertilizer before granulation. An additional treatment with granule FTE and later blended to the NPK fertilizer was also tested. The results showed that Zn incorporated to the NPK fertilizer did not increase grain yield and dry matter yield. Zinc in the leaf tissue increased with the applied Zn rates, and the ZnO incorporated into de NPK fertilizer showed the highest Zn concentration. The FTE incorporated into the NPK granules and the granulated FTE blended with NPK were similar with respect to Zn availability to the corn crop, evaluated by the Zn concentration in the leaves.