Nitrogen fertilization in maize by monitoring the plant N level by a chlorophyll meter

The objective of monitoring the adequate nitrogen (N) content in maize is to determine when a nutrient application becomes necessary, since the use of high doses of this nutrient may contaminate superficial and underground waters with nitrate. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chlorophyll content in leaves, measured by a chlorophyll meter, as an indicator of the N level in maize, at four growth stages, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the growing season 199912000. Treatments consisted of two maize hybrids (Pioneer 32R21 and Premium) and eight nitrogen management systems. The tested variables (grain yield, N level and accumulation in leaf and plant) in the systems monitored by the chlorophyll meter did not differ in relation to the standard systems, where N was applied regardless of the readings. Monitoring of the N content in the hybrid Pioneer 32R21, reduced N applications by 50, 100 and 150 kg ha(-1), respectively, in the S3, S4, and S5 systems, and in the hybrid Premium by 150 kg ha(-1) in the system S5, without affecting the maize grain yield. Therefore, monitoring the N level in maize by the corresponding chlorophyll leaf content with a portable chlorophyll meter proved to be an efficient method to separate plants with N deficiency from those with an adequate level of this nutrient.