RESPONSE OF CORN TO PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC FERTILIZATION

With the objective of evaluating the effects of phosphorus (0, 50, 100 , 150 and 200 kg ha(-1) of P2O5) and zinc (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha(- 1) of Zn) fertilization in the maize crop, a field experiment was cond ucted on a Haplustox soil with 5 mg dm(3) of P and 0.39 mg dm(-3) of Z n (DTPA). From the results, it was observed that the fertilization wit h P and Zn resulted in significant increments of corn grain yield. The effect of P fertilization was higher than the fertilization with Zn. It was possible to obtain a production of grain up to 6,000 kg ha(-1) with P alone; higher yield than it was achieved only with both P and Z n fertilization. The maximum corn grain yield was associated with P co ntents in soil about 30 mg dm(-3). Phosphorus did not alter the conten ts of Zn in the leaves.