Corn seed inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense in different nitrogen fertilization management

Seed inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense might be an interesting alternative to reduce the nitrogen demand applied to plants and to enhance the effect of these fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the components of maize crops and its response to inoculation with A. brasilense associated with sowing and top cover nitrogen fertilization. A completely randomized block experimental design was used, and the tests were carried out in two crop years. The treatments in the first crop year were: BF + CF: {nitrogen base fertilization (BF) + cover fertilization (CF)}; BF + BI: {BF + A. brasilense bacterium inoculation (BI)}; BF + BI + CF; BI; BI + CF and NFI: {no fertilization or inoculation}. The same treatments were tested in the second crop year, and the CF was added. The tests were carried out in the field, in the municipality of Abelardo Luz - SC - Brazil. The climate is humid mesothermal with hot summers and cold winters (Cfa). The following parameters were evaluated: plant height, leaf and grain nitrogen, yield, thousand-grains weight, and grain moisture. The inoculation of A. brasilense associated with cover fertilization could be an alternative to reduce the demand for N, including an increase in productivity. The use of A. brasilense without N fertilization provided an increase in crop yield.