<b>Fertilizer application methods for cotton culture</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v27i4.1341

Abstract

The present work was developed in four agricultural seasons, in different localities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil: Pindorama (96/97), Tatuí (96/97 e 97/98), Votuporanga (96/97, 97/98, 98/99 e 99/00), which are sand soils; Campinas (96/97, 97/98 e 99/00) sand loam soils and Ilha Solteira (98/99), Ituverava (96/97 ) and Miguelópolis (97/98 e 98/99) clay soils. The experimental design was completely random blocks with four replications. The cotton cultivar was the IAC 22 with four lines disposed in 20 m^-2-plots. Treatments were: 1-Ridge application (12-60-50 kg/ha of N-P-K); 2- a third part of the fertilizer on the ridges and the remaining amount by casting; 3- a fifth part of the fertilizer on the ridges and the remaining amount by casting; 4- Cast fertilization casting (12-60-50 kg/ha of N-P-K); 5- Cast application (0-60-50 kg/ha of N-P-K); 6- Cast fertilization (12-00-50 kg/ha of N-P-K).; 7- Cast fertilization (12-60-00 kg/ha of N-P-K); 8- Cast fertilization (0-60-50 kg/ha of N-P-K) and 50 kg of N/ha by covering; 9- Cast fertilization (0-60-0 kg/ha of N-P-K). It may be concluded that, in traditional cultivated cotton fields, cast fertilization can be useful, mainly by nutrient accumulation during the years. It is possible to use higher amount of the fertilizer by casting and lesser amount in seed ridges; Phosphorus and potassium can be applied together or separately, by casting before sowing, and nitrogen must be applied by covering; Continually fertilized fields can be fertilized by casting, without sowing application and with nitrogen and nitrogen and potassium application by covering.