Doses of sulfur and zinc on corn crop in two cultivation systems for recovering of a degraded pasture

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the cropping season of 998-999 on a degraded pasture area, under a Typic Acrustox, previously covered by Brachiaria decumbens, in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, in order to compare two cropping systems (no tillage and minimum cultivation), four doses of S (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) and two doses of Zn (0 and 5 kg/ha). The S content in plants was not influenced either by the cropping systems or Zn addition. The S levels applied to soil increased its content in the plant. The data concerning S applied to soil and S content in plant fit to a linear function. Cultivation systems affected the mass of 00 grains and the productivity of grains, the minimum cultivation system being better than the no tillage one. Grains yield was increased with doses of S as well as Zn. The minimum cultivation system provided higher values than the no tillage one, as to mass of 00 grains and grain yield.Additional keywords: minimum cultivation; no tillage; degraded pasture; amelioration of soil.