Root Growth, Nutrition and Yield of Maize with Applied Different Limestone Particle Size in the Cerrado Soil

Abstract

The limestone with smaller particle size provides rapid correction of soil acidity. However, the limestone with large particles can promote bigger root growth, and may still have a residual effect on the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of the application and incorporation of different limestone with a particle size bigger than 0.30 mm in root growth, nutrition and yield of maize in Cerrado soil. A randomized completed block utilized in this experiment, with five treatments and four replications. The grain sizes of dolomitic limestone incorporated into the Oxisol were: 0 (control, no-lime), 2.00-0.82 mm, 0.82 - 0.56 mm, 0.56 - 0.30 mm, 0.30 - 0.20 mm, in doses of 6.5 t · ha -1 , 3.9 t · ha - 1 , 2.6 t · ha -1 and 1.3 t · ha -1 respectively. The limestone applied in introduction no-tillage. The maize were evaluated of root attributes, nutrition and grain yield in two years 2009 and 2010. The use of limestone particle size of 2.00-0.82 mm, and the quantity of 6.5 t · ha -1 applied to the soil and incorporated showed elongation and root growth of maize thin depth of 20 - 40 cm in the soil. In that, same proposed management of the limestone was the highest maize grain yield in the first year. The rooting characteristics evaluated correlated with leaf Ca and Cu and maizegrain yield.