DEPTH OF SULFUR FERTILIZATION AND NITROGEN TOPDRESSING AS AFFECTING NODULATION AND GRAIN YIELD OF COMMON BEAN

Abstract

Depth of sulfur (S) fertilization can affect common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) development and a better understanding of its interaction with nitrogen topdressing could help to improve common bean grain yield in soils under Cerrado. The objective of this study was to determine nodulation, grain yield and yield components of common bean as affected by S fertilization depth and N topdressing. Two experiments were carried out, with and without nitrogen topdressing fertilization. For both experiments, the experimental designed was a randomized block in a factorial arrangement 4 x 2, with four replications. Treatments were the combination of sulfur rates (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha-1) at two depths (0.06 and 0.12 m) in two growing season (2014 and 2015). The application of S in the uppermost layer provided significant increases in the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and grain yield of common bean. Fertilization with S provided significant increases in grain yield of common bean, in the absence and presence of N at topdressing. S fertilization depth did not affect number of nodules, root and shoot dry matter of common bean. The fertilization with nitrogen topdressing provided larger number of pods per plant and grain yield in relation to the treatment without N and inoculation with rhizobia. Thus, the sulfated fertilization should be considered in farming systems aiming for high yields.