Utilization of the corn microplot method in the evaluation of fertility of four soils in the region of Botucatu, state of São Paulo

Abstract

The aim of this paper was fo find out the principal mineral deficiencies of some soils of the region of Botucatu, State of São Paulo, using the corn microplots method. Each experiment had seven treatments: (1) complete fertilization (macro and micronutrients), (2) with omission of nitrogen, (3) with omission of phosphorus, (4) with emission of potassium, (5) with omission of sulphur, (6) with omission of micronutrients, (7) control. The results showed that phosphorus and nitrogen are limiting factors of the yellow red latossol, sandy phase, the dark red latossol and the regossol. Sulphur deficiency was also observed in the first two soils. Responses to potassium and nitrogen were obtained in the Hidromorphic Alluvial.