Exploring the impact of cover crops in integrated pest management: pest and natural enemies population dynamics in no-tillage cotton production.

Conservation agriculture plays an important role in the sustainability of production systems, notably for globally significant crops such as cotton. This study explores the integration of the no-tillage system (NTS) with integrated pest management (IPM) by incorporating cover crops. The aim is to assess the impact of these living or dead covers on the management of insect populations, the indices diversity of phytophagous insects and natural enemies, and to investigate the population fluctuation of these arthropods, considering a variety of crops in the NTS before and after cotton planting. The trial, conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, employed a randomised block design with four repetitions. The treatments included cover crops with the highest potential for use in the region, such as millet (Pennisetum glaucum glaucum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), brachiaria (Urochloa ruziziensis), black velvet bean (Stizolobium aterrimum), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and white oats (Avena sativa L.) and a mix of white oats with brachiaria. The results indicated that the black velvet bean stands out as the most effective cover crop, providing the best performance in terms of non-preference to the attack of the evaluated pest insects. Conversely, brachiaria proves to be more susceptible to infestations of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and Diabrotica speciosa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The study underscores the relevance of the judicious choice of cover crops in IPM and in promoting agricultural biodiversity, creating a strategic tool to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the cotton production system in the context of the NTS.

Impact of historical soil management on the interaction of plant-growth-promoting bacteria with maize (Zea mays L.).

Edaphic factors can modulate the effects of microbial inoculants on crop yield promotion. Given the potential complexity of microbial inoculant responses to diverse soil management practices, we hypothesize that sustainable management of soil and water irrigation may improve soil quality and enhance the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Consequently, the primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of microbial inoculants formulated with Herbaspirillum seropedicae (Hs) and Azospirillum brasilense (Ab) on maize growth in soils impacted by different historical conservation management systems. We evaluated two soil management systems, two irrigation conditions, and four treatments: T0 - without bioinoculant and 100% doses of NPK fertilization; T1 - Hs + humic substances and 40% of NPK fertilization; T2 - Ab and 40% of NPK fertilization; T3 - co-inoculation (Hs + Ab) and 40% of NPK fertilization. Using a reduced fertilization dose (40% NPK) associated with microbial inoculants proved efficient in increasing maize shoot dry mass : on average, there was a 16% reduction compared to the treatment with 100% fertilization. In co-inoculation (Hs + Ab), the microbial inoculants showed a mutualistic effect on plant response, higher than isolate ones, especially increasing the nitrogen content in no-tillage systems irrigated by swine wastewater. Under lower nutrient availability and higher biological soil quality, the microbial bioinputs positively influenced root development, instantaneous water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and nitrogen contents.

Avaliação do uso de plantas de cobertura de solo na entressafra milho-trigo no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul / Evaluation of the use of cover crops in corn-wheat off-seasonin northwest of Rio Grande do Sul

A utilização de plantas de cobertura de solo, em especial de verão em janelas entressafras, é uma prática pouco comum por competirem com as culturas de importância econômica. O objetivo foi avaliar o uso de plantas de cobertura, na cobertura do soloe supressão de plantas espontâneas na entressafra milho-trigo no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Para isso, utilizou-se crotalária espectabilis, mucuna-cinza, feijão-de-porco, tremoço, trigo-mourisco, milheto, consórcio de milheto e crotalária (50%) e pousio (testemunha). As espécies foram semeadas após a colheita do milho safra com 0,45 m de espaçamento entre linhas em blocos ao acaso com seis repetições. A taxa de cobertura do solo foi analisada aos 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 dias após a semeadura. A matéria seca foi determinada na plena floração de cada cultura, separada em talos/colmos e folhas e secos a 65ºC. A incidência de plantas espontâneas foi avaliada no momento de plena floração. No período entressafra o milheto, consórcio de milheto + crotalária, mucuna-cinza e feijão-de-porco apresentam maior eficiência de cobertura do solo, ambos atingindo 100% de cobertura de solo. Os maiores acúmulos de matéria seca foram do milheto (11.204 kg.ha-1) e consórcio (9291 kg.ha-1). As culturas mais eficientes para a supressão de plantas espontâneas foram o milheto, o consórcio e a mucuna-cinza. A crotalária e trigo-mourisco apresentarambaixo desempenho, logo, não são recomendadas para cultivo solteiro na entressafra milho-trigo.(AU)

The use of cover crops, especially in summer in off-season, is an uncommon practice because they compete with crops of economic importance. The objective was to evaluate the use of cover crops, soil cover and suppression of weeds in the corn-wheat off-season in northwest of Rio Grande do Sul. For this, sunn hemp, gray mucuna, jack bean, lupine, buckwheat, millet, millet, and sunn hemp intercrop (50%) and fallow (control) were used. The species were sown after harvesting the corn crop with 0.45 m spacing between rows in randomized blocks with six replications. The soil cover rate was analyzed at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing. Dry matter was determined at full flowering of each crop, separated into stalks/stems and leaves, and dried at 65ºC. The incidence of weeds was evaluated at the time of full flowering. In the off-season, millet, millet + crotalaria, gray mucuna and jack bean intercropped have greater soil cover efficiency, both reaching 100% soil cover. The highest accumulations of dry matter were from millet (11,204 kg.ha-1) and intercropped (9291 kg.ha-1). The most efficient crops for the suppression of weeds were pearl millet, intercropped and gray mucuna. Sunn hemp and buckwheat showed low performance; therefore, they are not recommended for single cultivation in the corn-wheat off-season.(AU)

Soil aggregation and associated organic matter under management systems in sandy-textured soils, subtropical region of Brazil.

Increasing the diversity of plant species in agricultural production areas favors the maintenance or improvement of soil quality, particularly for soils with a sandy texture. This beneficial effect is related to the formation of aggregates of different origins. This study aimed to (i) verify whether soil use and management affect the proportion of biogenic (Bio) and physicogenic (Phy) aggregates and (ii) verify whether biogenic aggregation is more likely to lead to soil improvement than physicogenic aggregation. Three management systems were evaluated (permanent pasture, PP; no-tillage system, NT; and no-tillage + Brachiaria system, NT + B) as well as a reference area (Atlantic Forest biome vegetation, NF). According to their origin or formation pathway, the aggregates were separated, identified, and classified as Bio (formed by biological processes) and Phy (resulting from chemical and physical actions). The differentiation between Bio and Phy aggregates was performed based on the visualization of morphological features, such as shape, size, presence of roots, porosity, and subunit arrangements, and junctions. Only the PP area was able to promote greater aggregate formation of biological origin, with greater amounts of Bio aggregates. The highest total organic carbon (TOC) contents and the least negative δ13C values were also quantified in the aggregates of the PP area. The NT + B system provided an increase in the TOC content of its aggregates in comparison with aggregates in the NT and NF areas. Among the formation pathways, the Bio aggregates had the highest TOC and soil organic matter fractions contents and the most negative δ13C values. Perennial forage grasses vegetation was more important than the plant species diversity in favoring Bio aggregate formation. The beneficial effect of Brachiaria can be observed when incorporated as part of intercropping with corn in grain production systems. The biogenic aggregates favored the concentration of more labile soil organic matter fractions. The results of this study can provide important theoretical information for future studies focused on the combination of different plant species in agricultural food production areas on sandy-textured soils.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the soil using cover crops with and without nitrogen addition.

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin content in soil under different cover crops with and without the application of nitrogen in the cover. The following cover plants were used: Crotalaria juncea (Crotalaria juncea L.), wild beans from Ceará (Canavalia brasiliensis Mart. ex Benth.), Guandú 'BRS mandarin' [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], millet 'BR05' [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] and sorghum 'BR 304' [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The absolute control of the experiment was the treatment without the use of cover crops, that is, the vegetation of spontaneous occurrence in the area. The experimental design was randomized blocks in subplots with three replications. Spore density, mycorrhizal colonization rate, easily extractable glomalin, and species present in the rhizosphere of the cover crops were determined. No differences were found in the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi associated with the different cover crops studied or in the values of spore density, root colonization, or glomalin content. Nitrogen application did not influence the mycorrhizal activity in the investigated cover crops. The most frequent species associated with cover crops were Scutellospora pellucida and Scutellospora persica in C. juncea; Gigaspora sp. on Sorghum; Glomus macrocarpum in Guandu; G. macrocarpum and Glomus clavisporum in millet; and Glomus microaggregatum and Glomus tortuosum in Spontaneous Vegetation.

Soil Pore Network Complexity Changes Induced by Wetting and Drying Cycles-A Study Using X-ray Microtomography and 3D Multifractal Analyses.

Soils are dynamic and complex systems in their natural state, which are subjected to profound changes due to management. Additionally, agricultural soils are continuously exposed to wetting and drying (W-D) cycles, which can cause modifications in the complexity of their pores. Thus, we explore how successive W-D cycles can affect the pore network of an Oxisol under contrasting managements (conventional tillage-CT, minimum tillage-MT, no tillage-NT, and secondary forest-F). The complexity of the soil pore architecture was evaluated using a 3D multifractal approach combined with lacunarity, Shannon's entropy, and pore geometric parameters. Our results showed that the multifractal approach effectively identified and quantified the changes produced in the soil pore architecture by the W-D cycles. The lacunarity curves revealed important aspects of the modifications generated by these cycles. Samples under F, NT, and MT suffered the most significant changes. Pore connectivity and tortuosity were largely affected by the cycles in F and NT. Our findings demonstrated that the 3D geometric parameters and normalized Shannon's entropy are complementary types of analysis. According to the adopted management, they allowed us to separate the soil into two groups according to their similarities (F and NT; CT and MT).

Productivity of corn and beans as affected by season and source of nitrogen / Produtividade de milho e feijão afetada pela época e fonte de nitrogênio

Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, which provide a reduction in nitrogen (N) losses, can be a viable alternative for the anticipation of topdressing for the moment of sowing, besides reducing operations for the rural producer. This study aimed to determine the effect of the period of application of enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizers on the grain yield of corn and common bean in the Cerrado region in the direct seeding system. The experiment was carried out during two crop seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021), under field conditions. The completely randomized blocks experimental design was used, being arranged in a 2x4+1 factorial, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of the combination of the following two periods of nitrogen application: at sowing and recommended (four open leaves of corn and third trefoil in beans); and of the four following types of nitrogen fertilizers: 1. urea + NBPT + Zeolite; 2. urea + B + Cu + Zeolite; 3. Super N; and 4. Urea. Additionally, a control treatment (without N) was included. Nitrogen values for application in the treatments were adjusted so that 150 kg ha¹ N was applied to the corn, cultivated in summer, and 90 kg ha N was applied to the common bean, cultivated in winter. It was concluded that nitrogen sources and period of nitrogen application did not affect corn grain yield, yield components, and common bean grain yield. The application of nitrogen in corn or common bean provided significant increases in crop grain yield.

Os fertilizantes com eficiência aumentada, que proporcionam redução das perdas de nitrogênio (N), podem ser alternativas viáveis para proporcionar a antecipação da adubação de cobertura para a semeadura e reduzir operações para o produtor rural. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o efeito da época de aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados de eficiência aumentada nas produtividades de grãos do milho e feijão-comum na região do Cerrado no sistema de semeadura direta. O experimento foi desenvolvido durante duas safras agrícolas, 2019/2020 e 2020/2021, em condições de campo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2x4+1, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram da combinação de duas épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio, semeadura e recomendada (quarta folhas aberta no milho e terceiro trifólio no feijão) com quatro tipos de fertilizantes nitrogenados (1. ureia + NBPT + Zeólita), 2. (ureia + B + Cu + Zeólita), 3. Super N e 4. Ureia). Adicionalmente foi incluído um tratamento controle (sem N). No milho, cultivado no verão, aplicou-se 150 kg ha² de N e no feijão-comum, cultivado no inverno, aplicou-se 90 kg ha¹ de N. Concluiu-se que as fontes nitrogenadas e a época de aplicação do nitrogênio não afetaram a produtividade de grãos da cultura do milho, os componentes de produção e a produtividade de grãos do feijão-comum. A aplicação de nitrogênio no milho ou no feijão-comum proporcionou incrementos significativos na produtividade de grãos das culturas.

Teores de nitrato e amônio no solo em função de culturas de entressafra da soja e adubação nitrogenada / Nitrate and ammonium content in the soil as a function of off-season crops and nitrogen fertilization in the soybean

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os teores de nitrato e amônio no solo na entressafra e na safra de soja em função de culturas de entressafra e fertilização com N mineral na soja .O delineamento experimental foi de blocos completos casualizados, com cinco repetições e em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Nas parcelas foram alocados seis tratamentos de entressafra :pousio, milho segunda safra com 0 ou 80 kg de N ha-1 em cobertura, trigo, Urochloa ruziziensise Crotalaria spectabilis. Nas sub parcelas foram alocados duas adubações de N na implantação da soja (0 e 30 kg de N ha-1). De abril de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017 foram realizadas 26 coletas de solo na camada de 0,0-0,1m, sendo avaliados os teores de nitrato e amônio nas amostras. Durante o período de entressafra da soja, os maiores teores de nitrato no solo foram observados no milho segunda safra adubado com 80 kg de N ha-1, enquanto os teores de amônio variaram menos entre os tratamentos de entressafra. As culturas de entressafra não influenciaram os teores de nitrato e amônio no solo durante o ciclo da soja em sucessão. Na fase vegetativa da soja, os teores de nitrato no solo foram superiores quando a soja foi adubada com 30 kg de N ha-1, em relação à ausência de adubação, mas nas fases de formação de vagens e de grãos essa diferença não ocorreu.(AU)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of off-season crops and fertilization with N mineral at soybean sowing on the nitrate and ammonium contents in the soil during the off-season and soybean development cycle. The experimental design was of randomized complete blocks, with five replications and in split plod scheme. Six off-season treatments were evaluated in the plots: fallow, maize with 0 or 80 kg of N ha1, wheat, Urochloa ruziziensis and Crotalaria spectabilis. In the subplots two levels of N were evaluated in the soybean sowing (0 and 30 kg N ha-1).From April 2016 to February 2017, 26 soil samples were collected in the 0.0-0.1 m layer, and the nitrate and ammonium contents in the samples were evaluated. During the off-season, the highest contents of nitrate were observed in maize fertilized with 80 kg de N ha-1, while ammonium contents varied less among off-season crops. The off-season crops did not influence the soil nitrate and ammonium content during the soybean cycle. In the vegetative phase of soybean, nitrate contents were higher when the soybean received nitrogen fertilization in relation to the absence of fertilization, but in the pod and grain formation there was no effect of the nitrogen fertilization on the contents of inorganic N.(AU)

Teores de nitrato e amônio no solo em função de culturas de entressafra da soja e adubação nitrogenada / Nitrate and ammonium content in the soil as a function of off-season crops and nitrogen fertilization in the soybean

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os teores de nitrato e amônio no solo na entressafra e na safra de soja em função de culturas de entressafra e fertilização com N mineral na soja .O delineamento experimental foi de blocos completos casualizados, com cinco repetições e em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Nas parcelas foram alocados seis tratamentos de entressafra :pousio, milho segunda safra com 0 ou 80 kg de N ha-1 em cobertura, trigo, Urochloa ruziziensise Crotalaria spectabilis. Nas sub parcelas foram alocados duas adubações de N na implantação da soja (0 e 30 kg de N ha-1). De abril de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017 foram realizadas 26 coletas de solo na camada de 0,0-0,1m, sendo avaliados os teores de nitrato e amônio nas amostras. Durante o período de entressafra da soja, os maiores teores de nitrato no solo foram observados no milho segunda safra adubado com 80 kg de N ha-1, enquanto os teores de amônio variaram menos entre os tratamentos de entressafra. As culturas de entressafra não influenciaram os teores de nitrato e amônio no solo durante o ciclo da soja em sucessão. Na fase vegetativa da soja, os teores de nitrato no solo foram superiores quando a soja foi adubada com 30 kg de N ha-1, em relação à ausência de adubação, mas nas fases de formação de vagens e de grãos essa diferença não ocorreu.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of off-season crops and fertilization with N mineral at soybean sowing on the nitrate and ammonium contents in the soil during the off-season and soybean development cycle. The experimental design was of randomized complete blocks, with five replications and in split plod scheme. Six off-season treatments were evaluated in the plots: fallow, maize with 0 or 80 kg of N ha1, wheat, Urochloa ruziziensis and Crotalaria spectabilis. In the subplots two levels of N were evaluated in the soybean sowing (0 and 30 kg N ha-1).From April 2016 to February 2017, 26 soil samples were collected in the 0.0-0.1 m layer, and the nitrate and ammonium contents in the samples were evaluated. During the off-season, the highest contents of nitrate were observed in maize fertilized with 80 kg de N ha-1, while ammonium contents varied less among off-season crops. The off-season crops did not influence the soil nitrate and ammonium content during the soybean cycle. In the vegetative phase of soybean, nitrate contents were higher when the soybean received nitrogen fertilization in relation to the absence of fertilization, but in the pod and grain formation there was no effect of the nitrogen fertilization on the contents of inorganic N.

Sanidade de híbridos de milho em função da época de semeadura, doses de N em áreas com e sem rotação de culturas / Diseases incidence in maize hybrids as affected by sowing date and N rate in areas managed with and without crop rotation

O sistema de rotação de culturas, a época de semeadura e a disponibilidade de nitrogênio afetam a intensidade de doenças na cultura do milho. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da época de semeadura e de doses de nitrogênio em cobertura sobre a incidência de podridão de colmo, grãos ardidos e a sustentação do colmo de híbridos de milho com ciclos contrastantes, em ambientes manejados com e sem rotação de culturas. Foram implantados dois experimentos a campo em Santa Catarina, Brasil: o primeiro em monocultivo, em Lages; e o segundo em rotação de culturas, em Atalanta. Foram testados dois híbridos: AG9025 PRO3 (ciclo super-precoce) e P30F53 VHY (ciclo precoce); duas épocas de semeadura: preferencial (início da primavera) e tardia (final da primavera); e quatro doses de nitrogênio em cobertura: 0, 150, 300 e 450 kg de N ha-¹. O híbrido AG9025 PRO3 apresentou maior incidência de podridões de colmo e grãos ardidos do que o P30F53 VYH na semeadura tardia, principalmente na área em monocultivo. O efeito do N sobre estas variáveis dependeu do híbrido, época de semeadura e local, evidenciando que tanto o excesso quanto a falta de N podem favorecer a incidência de doenças no milho. O incremento na dose de N aumentou o diâmetro do colmo e a altura de inserção de espigas, o que incrementou a percentagem de colmos acamados do híbrido P30F53 VYH na semeadura tardia em Atalanta.(AU)

The crop rotation system, the sowing date and nitrogen availability affect disease pressure on maize. This work was carried out aiming to evaluate the effect of sowing date and nitrogen side-dress rate on stem and grain rot incidence and stem support of maize hybrids with contrasting growth cycle, managed with and without crop rotation. Two field experiments were carried out in Santa Catarina State, Brazil: the first was set without crop rotation in Lages; the second was set with crop rotation in Atalanta. Two hybrids were tested: AG9025 PRO3 (super-early) and P30F53 VYH (early). Two sowing dates were assessed: preferential (early spring) and delayed (late spring). Four nitrogen side-dress rates were evaluated: 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg of N ha-¹. The hybrid AG9025 PRO3 was more affected by stem and grain rots than P30F53 VYH in the late sowing date, especially when it was grown without crop rotation. Nitrogen effect on stem and grain rot varied according to the hybrid, sowing date and experimental place, showing that both the lack and excess of nitrogen may favor maize disease incidence. The increment in nitrogen rate increased stem diameter and ear insertion height in Atalanta, favoring P30F53 VYH stem lodging at the late sowing date.(AU)

Sanidade de híbridos de milho em função da época de semeadura, doses de N em áreas com e sem rotação de culturas / Diseases incidence in maize hybrids as affected by sowing date and N rate in areas managed with and without crop rotation

O sistema de rotação de culturas, a época de semeadura e a disponibilidade de nitrogênio afetam a intensidade de doenças na cultura do milho. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da época de semeadura e de doses de nitrogênio em cobertura sobre a incidência de podridão de colmo, grãos ardidos e a sustentação do colmo de híbridos de milho com ciclos contrastantes, em ambientes manejados com e sem rotação de culturas. Foram implantados dois experimentos a campo em Santa Catarina, Brasil: o primeiro em monocultivo, em Lages; e o segundo em rotação de culturas, em Atalanta. Foram testados dois híbridos: AG9025 PRO3 (ciclo super-precoce) e P30F53 VHY (ciclo precoce); duas épocas de semeadura: preferencial (início da primavera) e tardia (final da primavera); e quatro doses de nitrogênio em cobertura: 0, 150, 300 e 450 kg de N ha-¹. O híbrido AG9025 PRO3 apresentou maior incidência de podridões de colmo e grãos ardidos do que o P30F53 VYH na semeadura tardia, principalmente na área em monocultivo. O efeito do N sobre estas variáveis dependeu do híbrido, época de semeadura e local, evidenciando que tanto o excesso quanto a falta de N podem favorecer a incidência de doenças no milho. O incremento na dose de N aumentou o diâmetro do colmo e a altura de inserção de espigas, o que incrementou a percentagem de colmos acamados do híbrido P30F53 VYH na semeadura tardia em Atalanta.

The crop rotation system, the sowing date and nitrogen availability affect disease pressure on maize. This work was carried out aiming to evaluate the effect of sowing date and nitrogen side-dress rate on stem and grain rot incidence and stem support of maize hybrids with contrasting growth cycle, managed with and without crop rotation. Two field experiments were carried out in Santa Catarina State, Brazil: the first was set without crop rotation in Lages; the second was set with crop rotation in Atalanta. Two hybrids were tested: AG9025 PRO3 (super-early) and P30F53 VYH (early). Two sowing dates were assessed: preferential (early spring) and delayed (late spring). Four nitrogen side-dress rates were evaluated: 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg of N ha-¹. The hybrid AG9025 PRO3 was more affected by stem and grain rots than P30F53 VYH in the late sowing date, especially when it was grown without crop rotation. Nitrogen effect on stem and grain rot varied according to the hybrid, sowing date and experimental place, showing that both the lack and excess of nitrogen may favor maize disease incidence. The increment in nitrogen rate increased stem diameter and ear insertion height in Atalanta, favoring P30F53 VYH stem lodging at the late sowing date.

Health risk assessment and soil and plant heavy metal and bromine contents in field plots after ten years of organic and mineral fertilization.

Heavy metals and bromine (Br) derived from organic and industrialized fertilizers can be absorbed, transported and accumulated into parts of plants ingested by humans. This study aimed to evaluate in an experiment conducted under no-tillage for 10 years, totaling 14 applications of pig slurry manure (PS), pig deep-litter (PL), dairy slurry (DS) and mineral fertilizer (MF), the heavy metal and Br contents in soil and in whether the grains produced by corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under these conditions could result in risk to human health. The total contents of As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Br were analyzed in samples of fertilizers, waste, soil, shoots and grains of corn and wheat. Afterwards, enrichment factor (EF), accumulation factor (AF), health risk index (HRI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TCR) were determined. Mineral fertilizer exhibited the highest As and Cr content, while the highest levels of Cu and Zn were found in animal waste. The contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil were below the limits established by environmental regulatory agencies. However, a significant enrichment factor was found for Cu in soil with a history of PL application. Furthermore, high Zn contents were found in shoots and grains of corn and wheat, especially when the plants were grown in soil with organic waste application. Applications of organic waste and mineral fertilizer provided high HRI and THQ for Br and Zn, posing risks to human health. The intake of corn and wheat fertilized with pig slurry manure, swine deep bed, liquid cattle manure and industrialized mineral fertilizer did not present TCR.

Technical and economic feasibility of irrigated wheat as a function of nitrogen doses, sources, and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Viabilidade técnica e econômica do trigo irrigado em função de doses e fontes de nitrogênio e à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in wheat crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. The objective was to study the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, associated with varying doses and sources of N, and economically evaluating the yield of irrigated wheat. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS in crop years 2014 and 2015 in Oxisol soil type that was not-tilled. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial scheme, where 2 N sources (urea and Super N - urea with urease inhibitor enzyme), 5 nitrogen fertilization doses in top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), were applied to wheat crops with or without the inoculation of A. brasilense. Our results showed that the supply of N through Super N was not economically superior to the use of conventional urea; therefore, we recommend the use of urea because of the ease of acquisition. The application of 140 kg ha-1 of N combined with inoculation with A. brasilense showed higher grain yield. However, the...(AU)

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de trigo. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, nos agrícolas de 2014 e 2015, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos aoacaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: 2 fontes de N (ureia e Super N - ureia com inibidor da enzima urease; 5 doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação de sementes com A. brasilense. O fornecimento de N por meio do Super N não foi economicamente superior ao uso de ureia convencional, portanto recomenda-se utilizar a ureia em função da facilidade de aquisição. A aplicação de 140 kg ha-1 de N aliada à inoculação com A. brasilense proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto a dose de 50 kg ha-1, na ausência...(AU)

Technical and economic feasibility of irrigated wheat as a function of nitrogen doses, sources, and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Viabilidade técnica e econômica do trigo irrigado em função de doses e fontes de nitrogênio e à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in wheat crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. The objective was to study the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, associated with varying doses and sources of N, and economically evaluating the yield of irrigated wheat. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS in crop years 2014 and 2015 in Oxisol soil type that was not-tilled. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial scheme, where 2 N sources (urea and Super N - urea with urease inhibitor enzyme), 5 nitrogen fertilization doses in top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), were applied to wheat crops with or without the inoculation of A. brasilense. Our results showed that the supply of N through Super N was not economically superior to the use of conventional urea; therefore, we recommend the use of urea because of the ease of acquisition. The application of 140 kg ha-1 of N combined with inoculation with A. brasilense showed higher grain yield. However, the...

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de trigo. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, nos agrícolas de 2014 e 2015, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos aoacaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: 2 fontes de N (ureia e Super N - ureia com inibidor da enzima urease; 5 doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação de sementes com A. brasilense. O fornecimento de N por meio do Super N não foi economicamente superior ao uso de ureia convencional, portanto recomenda-se utilizar a ureia em função da facilidade de aquisição. A aplicação de 140 kg ha-1 de N aliada à inoculação com A. brasilense proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto a dose de 50 kg ha-1, na ausência...

Economic analysis of corn inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen sources and doses / Análise econômica do milho inoculado com Azospirillum brasilense associado a doses e fontes de nitrogênio

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in corn crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with NBPT urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense associated with N sources and doses in a Cerrado biome soil by evaluating the grain yield of irrigated corn in economic terms. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, MS, Brazil under a no-till system on a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two sources of N (urea and urea with NBPT urease enzyme inhibitor) and five N doses applied as top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), with and without the inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense. Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense makes corn growth much more profitable, irrespective of the dose and source of N. Addition of 200 kg ha-1 N in the form of conventional urea coupled with inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense increases grain yield; however, the highest economic return is obtained with Napplied at 100 kg ha-1 with conventional urea and inoculation.(AU)

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de milho. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, em solo de Cerrado, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de milho irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: duas fontes de N (ureia e ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT); cinco doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação das sementes com A. brasilense. A inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense torna o cultivo de milho mais lucrativo, independentemente da dose e fonte de N. A dose de 200 kg ha-1 de N na forma de ureia convencional associado à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense proporciona maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto, o maior retorno econômico é obtido na dose de 100 kg ha-1 de N, com ureia convencional e inoculação.(AU)

Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, light organic matter, and remaining phosphorus under a crop-livestock integration system / Estoques de carbono e nitrogênio, matéria orgânica leve e fósforo remanescente do solo sob sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária

Crop-livestock integration (CLI) is a management system that has been developed for a variety of soil and climatic conditions, which combined with the no-tillage system (NTS), has many variations in Brazil, particularly regarding grazing intensity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different grazing intensities and soybean (Glycine max L.) crops on carbon (Cst) and nitrogen (Nst) stocks, light organic matter (LOM), root content of the LOM (RLOM), and remaining phosphorus (Prem) in an Oxisol under CLI. The treatments consisted of three different heights (0.25 m [P25], 0.35 m [P35], and 0.45 m [P45]) of pasture grown in a CLI system. Two control areas, an area without grazing (AWG) and a native vegetation area of the Cerrado biome (NCA), which were adjacent to the experimental area, were compared with the cultivated areas. Soil samples were collected from 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m beneath each area in a completely randomized design with six replications. Soil characteristics were evaluated in the post-pasture cycle period (PP) and the post-soybean crop period (PC), which coincided with the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The NCA had more LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer during the PC and the 0.05-0.10 m layer during both the PP and the PC, C in the LOM in the 0.00-0.20 m layer during the PP and the PC, N in the LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer in the PP and the PC than the cultivated areas, but a lower soil density (SD) and Prem in the 0.00-0.20 m layerduring both the PP and the PC. Treatment P35 had more Nst in the PC and RLOM in the PP than the other cultivated treatments and the AWG. The absence of grazing in the AWG decreased the SD from the PP to the PC, while the treatments with different grazing intensities had similar values throughout this period. Our results suggest that production could be intensified under light and moderate grazing intensities in the CLI system.(AU)

A integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), combinada ao sistema plantio direto (SPD), é um sistema de manejo que tem sido desenvolvido para diversas condições edafoclimáticas, com muitas variações no Brasil, principalmente quanto a intensidade de pastejo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de pastejo e cultivo da soja (Glycine max L.) nos estoques de carbono (EstC) e nitrogênio (EstN), matéria orgânica leve (MOL), conteúdo de raízes na MOL (RMOL) e fósforo remanescente (Prem) em um Latossolo sob ILP. Os tratamentos consistiram em três diferentes alturas de manejo do pasto na ILP (0,25 m [P25], 0,35 m [P35], e 0,45 m [P45]). Duas áreas de controle, uma sem pastejo (SP) e uma área de vegetação nativa de cerrado (cerradão) (CE), que estiveram adjacentes ao experimento, foram comparadas com as áreas cultivadas. Em cada área as amostras foram coletadas nas camadas de 0,0-0,05; 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20 m em delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado com 6 repetições. Os atributos do solo foram avaliados pós-ciclo de pastejo (PP) e pós-lavoura de soja (PL), que coincidiram com as estações seca e chuvosa, respectivamente. O CE apresentou maiores conteúdos de MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m em ambas épocas PP e PL, C na MOL na camada 0,0-0,020 m durante o PP e a PL, N na MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m durante o PP e a PL. O tratamento (P35) incrementou EstN na PL e RMOL no PP em relação aosoutros cultivos P25, P45 e SP. A ausência de pastejo da área SP reduziu a Ds do PP para a PL, enquantoos tratamentos com diferentes intensidades de pastejo mantiveram estabilizados seus valores nesteperíodo. Os nossos resultados sugerem que a produção pode ser intensificada sob intensidades baixa e moderada de pastejo na ILP avaliada.(AU)

Chemical soil attributes after wheat cropping under nitrogen fertilization and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Atributos químicos do solo após cultivo de trigo sob adubação nitrogenada e inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense plays an important role in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in grasses. However, further studies are needed to define how much mineral N can be applied while simultaneously maintaining BNF contribution and maximizing crop yield and to determine the impact of these practices on soil fertility. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, in conjunction with varying N doses and sources in a Cerrado soil, on soil chemical attributes after two years of irrigated wheat production. The experiment was initiated in Selvíria MS under no-tillage production in an Oxisol in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications, and treatments were arranged in a 2 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement as follows: two N sources (urea and Super N urea with inhibitor of the enzyme urease NBPT (N (n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide))), five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1), and with or without seed inoculation with A. brasilense. The increase in N rates did not influence the chemical soil attributes. Super N acidified the soil more compared to urea. A. brasilense inoculation reduced the effect of soil acidification in intensive irrigated wheat cultivation; however, the base extraction was higher, resulting in a lower soil CEC after cultivation with inoculation. Therefore, the cultivation of wheat inoculated with A. brasilense was not harmful to soil fertility because it did not reduce the base saturation and organic matter contents of, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S.(AU)

O Azospirillum brasilense destaca-se no processo de fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em gramíneas. Contudo, mais estudos necessitam ser conduzidos para definir quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral considerando-se a eficiência da FBN para alcançar altas produtividades sem alterar a fixação, bem como sobre o impacto dessas práticas na fertilidade do solo. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inoculação de trigo com A. brasilense, associada a doses e fontes de N, em solo de Cerrado, avaliando-se os atributos químicos do solo após dois cultivos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria MS, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em 2014 e 2015. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: duas fontes de N (ureia e Super N ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT (N(-n-butil tiofosfórico triamida)); cinco doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação das sementes com A. brasilense. O incremento das doses de N não influenciou os atributos químicos do solo. O Super N pode acidificar mais o solo comparativamente à ureia. A inoculação com A. brasilense pode reduzir o efeito da acidificação do solo em cultivos intensivos de trigo irrigado, contudo a extração de bases foi maior, refletindo em menor CTC do solo após cultivo com inoculação. Portanto, o cultivo de trigo inoculado com A. brasilense não é prejudicial à fertilidade do solo, pois não reduz a saturação por bases e os teores de matéria orgânica, P, K, Ca, Mg e S.(AU)

Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, light organic matter, and remaining phosphorus under a crop-livestock integration system / Estoques de carbono e nitrogênio, matéria orgânica leve e fósforo remanescente do solo sob sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária

Crop-livestock integration (CLI) is a management system that has been developed for a variety of soil and climatic conditions, which combined with the no-tillage system (NTS), has many variations in Brazil, particularly regarding grazing intensity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different grazing intensities and soybean (Glycine max L.) crops on carbon (Cst) and nitrogen (Nst) stocks, light organic matter (LOM), root content of the LOM (RLOM), and remaining phosphorus (Prem) in an Oxisol under CLI. The treatments consisted of three different heights (0.25 m [P25], 0.35 m [P35], and 0.45 m [P45]) of pasture grown in a CLI system. Two control areas, an area without grazing (AWG) and a native vegetation area of the Cerrado biome (NCA), which were adjacent to the experimental area, were compared with the cultivated areas. Soil samples were collected from 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20 m beneath each area in a completely randomized design with six replications. Soil characteristics were evaluated in the post-pasture cycle period (PP) and the post-soybean crop period (PC), which coincided with the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The NCA had more LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer during the PC and the 0.05-0.10 m layer during both the PP and the PC, C in the LOM in the 0.00-0.20 m layer during the PP and the PC, N in the LOM in the 0.00-0.05 m layer in the

A integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), combinada ao sistema plantio direto (SPD), é um sistema de manejo que tem sido desenvolvido para diversas condições edafoclimáticas, com muitas variações no Brasil, principalmente quanto a intensidade de pastejo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de pastejo e cultivo da soja (Glycine max L.) nos estoques de carbono (EstC) e nitrogênio (EstN), matéria orgânica leve (MOL), conteúdo de raízes na MOL (RMOL) e fósforo remanescente (Prem) em um Latossolo sob ILP. Os tratamentos consistiram em três diferentes alturas de manejo do pasto na ILP (0,25 m [P25], 0,35 m [P35], e 0,45 m [P45]). Duas áreas de controle, uma sem pastejo (SP) e uma área de vegetação nativa de cerrado (cerradão) (CE), que estiveram adjacentes ao experimento, foram comparadas com as áreas cultivadas. Em cada área as amostras foram coletadas nas camadas de 0,0-0,05; 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20 m em delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado com 6 repetições. Os atributos do solo foram avaliados pós-ciclo de pastejo (PP) e pós-lavoura de soja (PL), que coincidiram com as estações seca e chuvosa, respectivamente. O CE apresentou maiores conteúdos de MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m em ambas épocas PP e PL, C na MOL na camada 0,0-0,020 m durante o PP e a PL, N na MOL na camada 0,0-0,05 m na PL e na camada 0,05-0,10 m durante o PP

Chemical soil attributes after wheat cropping under nitrogen fertilization and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense / Atributos químicos do solo após cultivo de trigo sob adubação nitrogenada e inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense

Azospirillum brasilense plays an important role in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in grasses. However, further studies are needed to define how much mineral N can be applied while simultaneously maintaining BNF contribution and maximizing crop yield and to determine the impact of these practices on soil fertility. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of inoculation with A. brasilense, in conjunction with varying N doses and sources in a Cerrado soil, on soil chemical attributes after two years of irrigated wheat production. The experiment was initiated in Selvíria – MS under no-tillage production in an Oxisol in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications, and treatments were arranged in a 2 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement as follows: two N sources (urea and Super N – urea with inhibitor of the enzyme urease NBPT (N – (n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide))), five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1), and with or without seed inoculation with A. brasilense. The increase in N rates did not influence the chemical soil attributes. Super N acidified the soil more compared to urea. A. brasilense inoculation reduced the effect of soil acidification in intensive irrigated wheat cultivation; however, the base extraction was higher, resulting in a lower soil CEC after cultivation with inoculation. Therefore, the cultivation of wheat inoculated with A. brasilense was not harmful to soil fertility because it did not reduce the base saturation and organic matter contents of, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S.

O Azospirillum brasilense destaca-se no processo de fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em gramíneas. Contudo, mais estudos necessitam ser conduzidos para definir quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral considerando-se a eficiência da FBN para alcançar altas produtividades sem alterar a fixação, bem como sobre o impacto dessas práticas na fertilidade do solo. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inoculação de trigo com A. brasilense, associada a doses e fontes de N, em solo de Cerrado, avaliando-se os atributos químicos do solo após dois cultivos de trigo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria – MS, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em 2014 e 2015. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: duas fontes de N (ureia e Super N – ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT (N(-n-butil tiofosfórico triamida)); cinco doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação das sementes com A. brasilense. O incremento das doses de N não influenciou os atributos químicos do solo. O Super N pode acidificar mais o solo comparativamente à ureia. A inoculação com A. brasilense pode reduzir o efeito da acidificação do solo em cultivos intensivos de trigo irrigado, contudo a extração de bases foi maior, refletindo em menor CTC do solo após cultivo com inoculação. Portanto, o cultivo de trigo inoculado com A. brasilense não é prejudicial à fertilidade do solo, pois não reduz a saturação por bases e os teores de matéria orgânica, P, K, Ca, Mg e S.

Economic analysis of corn inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen sources and doses / Análise econômica do milho inoculado com Azospirillum brasilense associado a doses e fontes de nitrogênio

Azospirillum brasilense is a bacterium known for its biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in corn crops. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research defining how much mineral N should be applied to maximize the efficiency of BNF and attain high, economically sustainable yields. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate whether adding urea with NBPT urease inhibitor might increase BNF in grasses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense associated with N sources and doses in a Cerrado biome soil by evaluating the grain yield of irrigated corn in economic terms. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, MS, Brazil under a no-till system on a Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two sources of N (urea and urea with NBPT urease enzyme inhibitor) and five N doses applied as top-dressing (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), with and without the inoculation of seeds with A. brasilense. Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense makes corn growth much more profitable, irrespective of the dose and source of N. Addition of 200 kg ha-1 N in the form of conventional urea coupled with inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense increases grain yield; however, the highest economic return is obtained with Napplied at 100 kg ha-1 with conventional urea and inoculation.

O Azospirillum brasilense se destaca na fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) em cultivo de milho. Contudo, faltam maiores pesquisas para definição do quanto se pode aplicar de N mineral quanto à eficiência da FBN, para alcançar altas produtividades economicamente sustentáveis. Além disso, seria interessante analisar se a ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT pode ser menos prejudicial, beneficiando a FBN em gramíneas. Sendo assim, objetivou-se estudar o efeito da inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense, associado às doses e fontes de N, em solo de Cerrado, avaliando economicamente a produtividade de grãos de milho irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Selvíria - MS, em sistema plantio direto, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, dispostos em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, sendo: duas fontes de N (ureia e ureia com inibidor da enzima urease NBPT); cinco doses de N em cobertura (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1); com e sem inoculação das sementes com A. brasilense. A inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense torna o cultivo de milho mais lucrativo, independentemente da dose e fonte de N. A dose de 200 kg ha-1 de N na forma de ureia convencional associado à inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense proporciona maior produtividade de grãos, entretanto, o maior retorno econômico é obtido na dose de 100 kg ha-1 de N, com ureia convencional e inoculação.