Annual losses of nitrogen from existing glasshouse crop production substrate systems could be as high as 600 kg ha 1, using an average of 30% drainwater containing a nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 200 mg 1". The use of nutrient recirculation systems such as nutrient film technique (NFT) helped to reduce nutrient losses to the environment but the commercial area of NFT has decreasedd ue to high initial capital costs, concernso ver diseaset ransmissionw ithin the system and an absence of recent research and development. Most substrate systems rely on the provision of liquid nutrient feeds at every watering. This study examines clinoptilolite which is able to selectively store, supply and exchange cations with plant roots. The use of the naturally-occurring volcanic aluminosilicates pumice and clinoptilolite zeolite in the intensive production of edible and ornamental protected crops, tomatoes, sweet peppers and standard carnations was studied. Pumice from Sicily, Italy and clinoptilolite (84-87%) from Beli Plast, Bulgaria were used in the experiments. The management of the pumice and unloaded clinoptilolite systems involved provision of all the plant growth nutrients via a drip irrigation system. In comparison, the nutrient-loaded clinoptilolites were examined using only water in the irrigation cycles which allowed relatively unimpeded cation exchange to take place between the clinoptilolite and the surrounding solution, thus providing nutrients for plant roots. The total cation exchange capacity of clinoptilolite was measured as 132.0-158.3 meq 100g'', compared with 1.8 meq 100g-' for pumice. Unloaded clinoptilolite irrigated with nutrient-balanced liquid feeds gave yields and quality equivalent to those of tomatoes, peppers and standard carnations grown on rockwool, pumice and peat / peat alternatives. For the first nine months of an eighteen month experiment, the yield and quality of standard carnation flowers from high nutrient-loaded clinoptilolite matched those from pumice receiving liquid feeds at every watering. Thereafter, lower concentrations of available nitrogen and, to a lesser extent phosphorus, limited production by up to 25%. Drainwater nutrient concentrations were, however, extremely low and reduced the potential pollution risk to the surrounding environment. Drainwater nitrate-nitrogen concentrations of below 10 mg 1'' were measured, compared with 100-300 mg 1.1 for pumice. Drainwater potassium concentrations were also comparatively low at < 20 mg 1'' for clinoptilolite and 200 mg 1" for pumice. Phosphorus concentrationsi n the drainwater did not exceed1 2 mg 1.1c, omparedw ith a maximum of 70 mg 1'1 in drainwater from pumice. The inclusion of phosphate rock (apatite) in with the clinoptilolite provided a source of phosphorus available to plants and the dissolution of apatite was regulated by the rate of absorption of phosphorus and calcium by plants. In all the experiments, clinoptilolite adsorbed ammonium-nitrogen and potassium, releasing calcium and sodium. However, concentrations of sodium released into the root zone were not harmful to plant growth. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration of new, fully-expanded carnation leaves was 51.7% lower than the target levels. The nutrient loading of nitrogen and phosphorus regulated the overall yield of the crops evaluated in the experiments. The use of nutrient-loaded clinoptilolite to produce commercial crops and reduce environmental pollution by regulating the concentration of nutrients in the drainwater over long periods of time is further explored in the study.

This thesis describes a series of experiments both in solution systems and soil systems to study the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soils and the effects of the precipitation on soil pH after urea had been applied. (1) A gas bubbling system has been established which introduces ammonia at a steady rate to the reaction solution and keeps it equilibrated at 0.00484 atm partial pressure of carbon dioxide. (2) In a non-seeded system, the effects of calcium, urea, Mg (magnesium), P (phosphate), and DOC (water-dissolved organic matter) on the precipitation were examined individually and in various combinations. Calcite and vaterite were found in the 10 mM CaC1₂ solutions with and without the addition of urea. When the solutions contained Mg, P, and DOC, vaterite was not found. Aragonite was found in the reaction solution containing 5 mM Mg. In high initial concentration of P (5x10^-4 M) , the formation of calcium phosphate (amorphous by X-ray analysis) catalysed the formation of calcite. The effects of urea and Mg on the precipitation are negligible compared with the effects of P and DOC. (3) In a seeded system, 16 sets of experiments with four sizes of calcite-seeds were carried out to study the precipitation rate of calcium carbonate. This was described by the equation LR=-4.113±0.132 + 0.379±0.029 LWA + LSI where LR=log (precipitation rate, PR, in mole litre^-1 min^-1), LWA= log (newly formed calcium carbonate, g ml^-1), and LSI=log (degree of supersaturation of calcium carbonate, SI). (4) A wide range of concentrations of urea (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 M) were added to three soils (Beg., Uni., and VWH) with or without the addition of 5 per cent of calcite (10-15 μm) to establish a rate model for the precipitation of calcium carbonate in soils. The precipitation model (in logarithmic form) in soils is lnPR=-9.47±0.30 + lnK_SOIL + 0.379±0.029 InWA + InSI - 1686±703 P - 6.13±3.02 DOC + 3854±1775 (P DOC) where P and DOC are the concentrations in soil solutions, and lnK_SOIL is the effect of soils on the precipitation, which is - 1.98, 0.43, and -0.10 for Beg., Uni., and VWH soils respectively. The amount of newly formed calcium carbonate is about a third to a half of the amount of ammoniacal-N released by urea hydrolysis. It was able to reduce the increase of soil pH by more than 0.6 pH units in some circumstances.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) is a popular turfgrass used throughout the Southeast. Bermudagrass is established primarily as sprigs on large acreage sites. Currently, the industry standard practice (ISP) of fertilization during bermudagrass sprig establishment is 48.8 kg N ha⁻¹ wk⁻¹. This fertilizer rate can be excessive on morphologically immature sprigs in the initial weeks of establishment, thus making the possibility of offsite surface runoff N events more likely. Two experiments were conducted in 2000 and 2001 where sprigs were established at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks prior to applying simulated rainfall (WPRS) following N fertilization rates of the ISP or a lower initial N (LIN) rate of 12.2 kg N ha⁻¹ wk⁻¹ the first four weeks and then 48.8 kg N ha⁻¹ wk⁻¹ until full establishment. At the tenth week all treatments were subjected to rainfall simulation at 63.5 mm hr⁻¹. Once surface runoff was induced, rainfall continued for thirty minutes during which time runoff samples were taken every five minutes and analyzed for sediment losses, N concentrations in the nitrate and ammonium forms, and phosphorus losses as dissolved reactive P (DRP). Experimental results indicate an ability to curb N losses through surface runoff during the initial weeks of sprig establishment following the LIN with only modest delays in sprig establishment. Sprigs established for the same time period, under the ISP or LIN, were very similar in growth, release of surface runoff, and sediment losses during runoff events. / Master of Science

Na busca de alternativas para mensurar a emissão foliar de amônia (NH3) e minimizar as perdas de N-NH3 em pastagens, foram realizados três trabalhos. Os dois primeiros com objetivo de verificar se o absorvedor com espuma, já utilizado na quantificação da volatilização de N-NH3, também é eficiente para mensurar a emissão foliar, sem causar alterações no processo de perda de nitrogênio. O terceiro trabalho, realizado em pastagem de capim Colonião (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Colonião) no verão, inverno e primavera, avaliou o efeito da aplicação de lâminas de água, após a adubação com uréia, sobre as perdas de N-NH3 do solo por volatilização e emissão foliar. O absorvedor de amônia com espuma não causa alteração no processo de perda de N-NH3 e colocado 1 cm acima das folhas superiores, é efetivo em capturar o N-NH3 perdido por emissão foliar da pastagem, quando se fertiliza em superfície com nitrato de amônio e uréia. A aplicação de água imediatamente após a adubação com uréia é eficiente para reduzir as perdas de NNH3 por volatilização. No verão, a aplicação de 3,2 mm de água foi suficiente para reduzir as perdas de N-NH3 para menos de 3,1 % do N aplicado, enquanto na ausência de irrigação ocorreram perdas de 30,5%. A taxa de volatilização é influenciada pela quantidade de água disponível no solo, sendo baixa quando a uréia é aplicada em solo seco ou quando o solo seca rapidamente, mesmo que a temperatura ambiente seja elevada. A emissão foliar de N-NH3 não foi influenciada pela aplicação ou não de água, após a adubação com uréia. / In search of alternatives to measure ammonia (NH3) foliar emission and minimize N-NH3 losses in pasture three research works were accomplished. The two first works aimed at checking whether or not the foam absorber, which was already used to quantify N-NH3 volatilization, is also efficient to measure foliar emission without interfering in nitrogen loss process. The third one was performed in Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Colonião pasture during three different seasons and evaluated the use of irrigation levels after urea fertilization on N-NH3 losses through volatilization and foliar emission. The ammonia foam absorber does not alter N-NH3 loss process and when place at height of 1 cm from the upper leaves it is effective in capturing N-NH3 lost through foliar emission when fertilization is done superficially with ammonium nitrate and urea. Water application immediately after fertilization is efficient to reduce N-NH3 losses through volatilization. During summer the use of 3.2 mm water was enough to decrease N-NH3 loss to less than 3.1% of applied N, while the lack of irrigation caused 30.5% losses. Volatilization rate is influenced by the quantity of water available in the soil, being low when urea is applied to dry soil or when the soil dries fast even if the environment temperature is high. N-NH3 foliar emission was not influenced by water application after urea fertilization.

Submitted by Claudia Rocha (claudia.rocha@udesc.br) on 2017-12-05T12:19:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCS16MA125.pdf: 1279709 bytes, checksum: 6ffcf0d5b6dcb6ee19add0eb5a3f0b0a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-05T12:19:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCS16MA125.pdf: 1279709 bytes, checksum: 6ffcf0d5b6dcb6ee19add0eb5a3f0b0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-04 / CNPq / This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizers added to the soil on N leaching, volatilization and common bean yield. Three experiments were conducted, all using a clayey Humic Hapludox with medium organic matter content. The fertilizers used were: conventional Urea, Super N®, Kimcoat N®, Nitro Mais®, Super Nitro®, Producote®, Sulfammo Meta 22®, Sulfammo Meta 29® and Ammonium Nitrate. The first study aimed to evaluate the effect of topdressing N fertilizers, combined with two lime application forms, on ammonia volatilization. This experiment was conducted in controlled conditions, in Lages, SC. Soil samples were placed in plastic pots and coupled to volatilization chambers. Treatments included the above fertilizers, except Sulfammo Meta 22®, at a rate of 157 mg of nitrogen (N) per experimental unit, plus a control without N, combined with incorporated or broadcast liming. Volatilization was determined at 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after fertilizer application. Liming form did not affect volatilization from amidic fertilizers but increases from ammonium fertilizers. The second experiment evaluated N leaching after fertilizer addition under laboratory conditions, in Lages, SC. Soil samples were placed in PVC columns. The fertilizers, except Sulfammo Meta 29®, were applied at 5 cm deep at a N rate of 400 mg column-1. Distilled water (300 ml column-1) was applied weekly, during 13 weeks. The ammonium leaching was small and did not differ between treatments. The amidic fertilizers caused the highest leaching of nitrate. Thus, the urea protection mechanisms were not efficient in reducing N losses by leaching. The third study aimed to evaluate the response of bean to nitrogen fertilizers applied in top dressing. The experiment was conducted in Vacaria, RS, in an area previously cultivated with an apple orchard for twenty years. The fertilizers, except Sulfammo Meta 22®, were topdressed at a N rate of 60 kg ha-1. The average grain yield was 3770 kg ha-1 and, like all other attributes, was not influenced by the addition of any fertilizer, possibly due to the high N availability in the soil as a result of the organic matter mineralization during the growing season. Thus, apparently there is no need for topdressing for bean under these conditions / Este trabalho visou avaliar o efeito da adição de fertilizantes nitrogenados ao solo na lixiviação, na volatilização e no rendimento de feijoeiro. Para isso foram implantados três experimentos, todos utilizando um Latossolo Bruno Aluminoférrico típico, argiloso e com médio teor de matéria orgânica. Os fertilizantes utilizados foram: Ureia convencional, Super N®, Kimcoat N®, Nitro Mais®, Super Nitro®, Producote®, Sulfammo Meta 22®, Sulfammo Meta 29® e Nitrato de Amônio. O primeiro estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da aplicação dos fertilizantes em cobertura, associados a formas de aplicação de calcário, na volatilização de amônia. Ele foi realizado em câmara de crescimento, em Lages, SC. As amostras de solo foram acondicionadas em potes plásticos e acoplados a câmaras de volatilização. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelos fertilizantes citados, na dose de 157 mg de nitrogênio (N) por unidade experimental, exceto o Sulfammo Meta 22®, além da testemunha sem N, combinados com calagem, superficial ou incorporada. A volatilização foi determinada aos 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 e 35 dias após a aplicação dos fertilizantes. As formas de calagem não influenciaram a volatilização a partir dos fertilizantes amídicos mas aumenta a de fertilizantes amoniacais. O segundo experimento teve como objetivo avaliar a lixiviação de N decorrente da adição dos fertilizantes, também em laboratório, em Lages, SC. Amostras de solo foram acondicionadas em colunas de PVC. Os fertilizantes, exceto o Sulfammo Meta 29®, foram aplicados a 5 cm de profundidade, na dose de 400 mg coluna-1 de N. Foram feitas 13 percolações semanais de 300 ml por coluna. A lixiviação de amônio foi pequena e não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Os fertilizantes amídicos apresentaram as maiores quantidades de nitrato lixiviadas. Portanto, os mecanismos de proteção da ureia não foram eficientes na redução das perdas por lixiviação de nitrogênio. O terceiro estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta do feijoeiro aos fertilizantes nitrogenados aplicados em cobertura. O experimento foi conduzido em Vacaria, RS, em um Latossolo cultivado anteriormente por vinte anos com um pomar de macieira. Os fertilizantes, exceto o Sulfammo Meta 22®, foram aplicados em cobertura, na dose de 60 kg ha-1 de N. O rendimento médio de grãos foi de 3770 kg ha-1 e, assim como as demais variáveis, não foi influenciado pela adição de nenhum dos fertilizantes, possivelmente devido à alta disponibilidade de N no solo em função da mineralização da matéria orgânica durante o ciclo vegetativo. Sendo assim, verifica-se que não há necessidade da adição de N de cobertura para o feijoeiro nessas condições

Na busca de alternativas para mensurar a emissão foliar de amônia (NH3) e minimizar as perdas de N-NH3 em pastagens, foram realizados três trabalhos. Os dois primeiros com objetivo de verificar se o absorvedor com espuma, já utilizado na quantificação da volatilização de N-NH3, também é eficiente para mensurar a emissão foliar, sem causar alterações no processo de perda de nitrogênio. O terceiro trabalho, realizado em pastagem de capim Colonião (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Colonião) no verão, inverno e primavera, avaliou o efeito da aplicação de lâminas de água, após a adubação com uréia, sobre as perdas de N-NH3 do solo por volatilização e emissão foliar. O absorvedor de amônia com espuma não causa alteração no processo de perda de N-NH3 e colocado 1 cm acima das folhas superiores, é efetivo em capturar o N-NH3 perdido por emissão foliar da pastagem, quando se fertiliza em superfície com nitrato de amônio e uréia. A aplicação de água imediatamente após a adubação com uréia é eficiente para reduzir as perdas de NNH3 por volatilização. No verão, a aplicação de 3,2 mm de água foi suficiente para reduzir as perdas de N-NH3 para menos de 3,1 % do N aplicado, enquanto na ausência de irrigação ocorreram perdas de 30,5%. A taxa de volatilização é influenciada pela quantidade de água disponível no solo, sendo baixa quando a uréia é aplicada em solo seco ou quando o solo seca rapidamente, mesmo que a temperatura ambiente seja elevada. A emissão foliar de N-NH3 não foi influenciada pela aplicação ou não de água, após a adubação com uréia. / In search of alternatives to measure ammonia (NH3) foliar emission and minimize N-NH3 losses in pasture three research works were accomplished. The two first works aimed at checking whether or not the foam absorber, which was already used to quantify N-NH3 volatilization, is also efficient to measure foliar emission without interfering in nitrogen loss process. The third one was performed in Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Colonião pasture during three different seasons and evaluated the use of irrigation levels after urea fertilization on N-NH3 losses through volatilization and foliar emission. The ammonia foam absorber does not alter N-NH3 loss process and when place at height of 1 cm from the upper leaves it is effective in capturing N-NH3 lost through foliar emission when fertilization is done superficially with ammonium nitrate and urea. Water application immediately after fertilization is efficient to reduce N-NH3 losses through volatilization. During summer the use of 3.2 mm water was enough to decrease N-NH3 loss to less than 3.1% of applied N, while the lack of irrigation caused 30.5% losses. Volatilization rate is influenced by the quantity of water available in the soil, being low when urea is applied to dry soil or when the soil dries fast even if the environment temperature is high. N-NH3 foliar emission was not influenced by water application after urea fertilization.

Wheat was grown hydroponically for 23 days ( early boot stage) in a controlled environment at NO3- concentrations of 100 and 1000 μ,M and CO2 levels of 360 and 1200 μ,mol mo1-1. Nitrogen consumption and transpiration were measured daily. Tissue nitrogen concentration, total biomass, and percent root mass were measured at harvest. Nitrogen recovery and nitrogen use efficiency were calculated. Elevated CO2 increased nitrogen consumption of the 100 μ,M NO3- treatment by 13.6% and the 1000 μ,M NO3- treatment by 21.3%. These increases were particularly evident during tillering and early grain fill. Whole plant nitrogen, shoot NO3-, and root NO3- concentrations were increased by elevated CO2. High CO2increased biomass by 15% and increased percent root mass by 11 %. Nitrogen recovery and nitrogen use efficiency were similar at both CO2 concentrations. Transpiration (L m-2ground d-1) decreased by 40% in elevated CO2. The 1000 μ,M NO3- treatment consumed more NO3- than did the 100 μ,M NO3- treatment (8.1% in ambient CO2, 15.5% in elevated CO2); this effect was most pronounced during the last 5 days of the experiment (flag leaf emergence and early grain fill). Percent root mass increased as N concentration decreased from 1000 to 100 μ,M. Nitrogen levels did not significantly affect tissue N concentration or biomass. Nitrogen losses increased as N supply increased; an average of 16% of the nitrogen added to the 100 μ,M NO3- treatment was lost, while the 1000 μ,M NO3- treatment lost 21%. Nitrogen use efficiency and transpiration were similar in both nitrogen treatments.

Nutrient pollution as a result of excessive fertilizer application is of major concern for Florida's water resources. Excess fertilizer can be lost either via surface runoff or by leaching through the soil mass eventually reaching water bodies and leading to eutrophication. The focus of this study is to analyze the effect of low rainfall intensities and overland flow from an adjacent roadway surface on the loss of nutrients from two different fertilizers. This study focuses on the fate of the nitrogen and phosphorus present in fertilizers utilized by the Florida Department of Transportation for the stabilization of highway embankments. This research was performed on a field-scale test bed and rainfall simulator located at the Stormwater Management Academy at the University of Central Florida. The loss of nutrients was measured from two soil and sod combinations typically found in Florida and used for highway stabilization -Pensacola Bahia on AASHTO A-2-4 soil and Argentine Bahia on AASHTO A-3 soil. Two different fertilizers were analyzed, an all-purpose, quick-release 10-10-10 (N-P-K) fertilizer previously used by FDOT, and the new slow-release 16-0-8 (N-P-K) fertilizer, both applied at a rate of 0.5 lb/1000 ft2 consistent with FDOT's practice. Each combination was analyzed under two rainfall intensities: 0.1 in/hr and 0.25 in/hr at a slope consistent with typical highway cross-sections found in Florida. Nutrient losses were measured by collection of runoff and/or baseflow that escaped the test bed. Additionally, from the soil samples collected throughout the testing period, the mass of the nutrients was compared to the mass balances values based on literature from a previous study on fertilizers performed at the Stormwater Management Academy. The experimental findings of this study showed that there was a reduction in total nitrogen and total phosphorus on both A-2-4 soil and A-3 soil at the 0.25 in/hr intensity as a result of switching to the slow-release 16-0-8 (N-P-K) fertilizer. Results from the 0.1 in/hr rainfall intensity, which were available only for the A-2-4 soil, showed that at this intensity there was no apparent benefit to the switch in fertilizers. Furthermore, it was found that less total nitrogen and total phosphorus was lost from A-3 soil than A-2-4 soil at 0.25 in/hr when using 10-10-10 (N-P-K). At 0.1 in/hr, there was no apparent difference in total nitrogen lost. However, less total phosphorus was lost at this intensity. The results of this study showed that there is an environmental benefit to applying slow-release fertilizers. This was more significant for the 0.25 in/hr intensity than the 0.1 in/hr intensity at which no apparent benefit was found. In addition, it was found that runoff was a greater source of nutrient loss than baseflow, although baseflow losses were substantial. Furthermore, it was found that total nitrogen tends to be lost via both pathways of runoff and baseflow while phosphorus has a lower tendency to leach through the soil but readily runs off the soil surface. It was also observed that because fresh sod tends to be heavily fertilized, applications of fertilizer could be reduced or avoided entirely after sod placement and applied as needed.

O milho é uma das culturas de maior importância econômica e mais estudadas. Apesar do alto potencial produtivo da cultura, o que se observa na prática é que sua produção é muito baixa e irregular devido a problemas de manejo, como o uso incorreto de fertilizante. Uma das formas de aumentar a eficiência de aproveitamento dos fertilizantes é o uso destes revestidos com polímeros. No presente experimento objetivou-se avaliar a volatilização de amônia, os teores de amônio e nitrato no solo, aspectos nutricionais e biométricos do milho e a produtividade da cultura, em função da aplicação de uréia revestida com polímeros. A área experimental foi localizada no município de Uberlândia, em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo de textura argilosa. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação em cobertura no milho de uréia revestida com polímeros e uréia convencional nas doses de 45; 67,5 e 90 kg ha-1 de N e um tratamento controle sem aplicação do nutriente, dispostos em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foi avaliado volatilização de amônia, teor no solo de amônio e nitrato, concentração de N na folha e no grão, medida indireta de clorofila, aspectos biométricos e produtividade de grãos, da cultura além de análise econômica. As perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização foram determinadas pelo método do coletor semi-aberto. Os teores de amônio e nitrato no solo foram avaliados nas profundidades 0- 20, 20-40 e 40-60 cm. A medida indireta de clorofila foi realizada com clorofilômetro, modelo Minolta-SPAD 502®. Os aspectos biométricos consistiram na mensuração do diâmetro de colmo e altura de inserção de espiga. A análise econômica consistiu na relação entre o custo do fertilizante nitrogenado aplicado em cobertura e a receita gerada pela venda dos grãos produzidos em função da aplicação do fertilizante. A aplicação de uréia revestida não influenciou as taxas de volatilização de amônia e o teor de amônio e nitrato no solo em relação à aplicação do fertilizante convencional. Para produtividade de grãos, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos fertilizados com N em cobertura, independente do tipo de uréia e a dose de N aplicada. Os tratamentos com aplicação de 45 e 67, 5 kg ha-1 de N com uréia convencional foram os únicos que não diferiram do controle para esta característica. Nas doses de 67,5 e 90 kg ha-1 de N, não houve diferença entre os tratamentos com fertilizante revestido e convencional nos aspectos biométricos e concentração de N na folha e grão. Na dose 45 kg ha-1 de N, entretanto, observouse maior diâmetro de colmo e medida indireta de clorofila no tratamento com uréia revestida, dose na qual, este fertilizante tornou-se economicamente viável. / Corn is one of the most economically important crops as well as the most studied one. Although its high potential of productivity, it is observed a low and irregular production because of management problems, like, for example, the incorrect use of fertilizers. This work aimed to study a better way to use fertilizers, coated with polymers. It was evaluated the volatilization, levels of ammonium and nitrate on soil, nutritional value and biometric aspects of corn and also corns productivity, due the application of polymer coated urea. The experimental field was located in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, in Oxisoil. The treatments consisted on application in the coverage of the corn crop, of coated and conventional urea in doses of 45; 67,5 and 90 kg ha - 1 of nitrogen and a control treatment without nutrient application, designed in randomized blocks with four replications. It was evaluated the volatization of ammonia, the level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil, the nitrogen concentration in leaf and grain, the indirect measurement of chlorophyll, the biometric aspects, the productivity of grain in the crop and the economical analysis. The loss of nitrogen by volatization were determined by semi-open collector method. The level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil were evaluated in depth of 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm. The chlorophyll portable, model Minolta-SPAD 502®, was used to verify the indirect measurement of chlorophyll. The biometric aspects was evaluated through measuring culm diameter and ear height. The economical analysis consisted in the relation between the cost of the nitrogen fertilizer applied in the coverage and the revenue from the sale of grain produced on the basis of fertilizer applied. The application of the coated urea has not changed the rate of volatization of ammonia and the level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil when compared to the application of the conventional fertilizer. Concerning the grain productivity, there was no difference showed among the fertilized treatments using nitrogen in coverage, independent of the doses of urea nitrogen applied. The treatments with the application of nitrogen in doses of 67.5 and 45 kg ha -1 with conventional urea were the ones which showed difference from the control treatment for this characteristic. In doses of 67,5 and 90 kg ha-1, there was no difference observed between treatments with conventional and coated fertilizers for biometric aspects and nitrogen concentration in leaf and grain. However, in dose of 45 kg ha-1, the corn showed a higher culm diameter and indirect measurement clorophyll when treated with coated urea, making this fertilizer suitable for the market.

O milho é uma das culturas de maior importância econômica e mais estudadas. Apesar do alto potencial produtivo da cultura, o que se observa na prática é que sua produção é muito baixa e irregular devido a problemas de manejo, como o uso incorreto de fertilizante. Uma das formas de aumentar a eficiência de aproveitamento dos fertilizantes é o uso destes revestidos com polímeros. No presente experimento objetivou-se avaliar a volatilização de amônia, os teores de amônio e nitrato no solo, aspectos nutricionais e biométricos do milho e a produtividade da cultura, em função da aplicação de uréia revestida com polímeros. A área experimental foi localizada no município de Uberlândia, em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo de textura argilosa. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação em cobertura no milho de uréia revestida com polímeros e uréia convencional nas doses de 45; 67,5 e 90 kg ha-1 de N e um tratamento controle sem aplicação do nutriente, dispostos em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Foi avaliado volatilização de amônia, teor no solo de amônio e nitrato, concentração de N na folha e no grão, medida indireta de clorofila, aspectos biométricos e produtividade de grãos, da cultura além de análise econômica. As perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização foram determinadas pelo método do coletor semi-aberto. Os teores de amônio e nitrato no solo foram avaliados nas profundidades 0- 20, 20-40 e 40-60 cm. A medida indireta de clorofila foi realizada com clorofilômetro, modelo Minolta-SPAD 502®. Os aspectos biométricos consistiram na mensuração do diâmetro de colmo e altura de inserção de espiga. A análise econômica consistiu na relação entre o custo do fertilizante nitrogenado aplicado em cobertura e a receita gerada pela venda dos grãos produzidos em função da aplicação do fertilizante. A aplicação de uréia revestida não influenciou as taxas de volatilização de amônia e o teor de amônio e nitrato no solo em relação à aplicação do fertilizante convencional. Para produtividade de grãos, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos fertilizados com N em cobertura, independente do tipo de uréia e a dose de N aplicada. Os tratamentos com aplicação de 45 e 67, 5 kg ha-1 de N com uréia convencional foram os únicos que não diferiram do controle para esta característica. Nas doses de 67,5 e 90 kg ha-1 de N, não houve diferença entre os tratamentos com fertilizante revestido e convencional nos aspectos biométricos e concentração de N na folha e grão. Na dose 45 kg ha-1 de N, entretanto, observouse maior diâmetro de colmo e medida indireta de clorofila no tratamento com uréia revestida, dose na qual, este fertilizante tornou-se economicamente viável. / Corn is one of the most economically important crops as well as the most studied one. Although its high potential of productivity, it is observed a low and irregular production because of management problems, like, for example, the incorrect use of fertilizers. This work aimed to study a better way to use fertilizers, coated with polymers. It was evaluated the volatilization, levels of ammonium and nitrate on soil, nutritional value and biometric aspects of corn and also corns productivity, due the application of polymer coated urea. The experimental field was located in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, in Oxisoil. The treatments consisted on application in the coverage of the corn crop, of coated and conventional urea in doses of 45; 67,5 and 90 kg ha - 1 of nitrogen and a control treatment without nutrient application, designed in randomized blocks with four replications. It was evaluated the volatization of ammonia, the level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil, the nitrogen concentration in leaf and grain, the indirect measurement of chlorophyll, the biometric aspects, the productivity of grain in the crop and the economical analysis. The loss of nitrogen by volatization were determined by semi-open collector method. The level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil were evaluated in depth of 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm. The chlorophyll portable, model Minolta-SPAD 502®, was used to verify the indirect measurement of chlorophyll. The biometric aspects was evaluated through measuring culm diameter and ear height. The economical analysis consisted in the relation between the cost of the nitrogen fertilizer applied in the coverage and the revenue from the sale of grain produced on the basis of fertilizer applied. The application of the coated urea has not changed the rate of volatization of ammonia and the level of ammonium and nitrate in the soil when compared to the application of the conventional fertilizer. Concerning the grain productivity, there was no difference showed among the fertilized treatments using nitrogen in coverage, independent of the doses of urea nitrogen applied. The treatments with the application of nitrogen in doses of 67.5 and 45 kg ha -1 with conventional urea were the ones which showed difference from the control treatment for this characteristic. In doses of 67,5 and 90 kg ha-1, there was no difference observed between treatments with conventional and coated fertilizers for biometric aspects and nitrogen concentration in leaf and grain. However, in dose of 45 kg ha-1, the corn showed a higher culm diameter and indirect measurement clorophyll when treated with coated urea, making this fertilizer suitable for the market.