The increase of the efficiency of the nitrogen fertilization promotes reduction of the applied dose and decreases the losses of nitrogen (N) to the environment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield and the relative chlorophyll index (IRC) in cabbage crop under cover fertilization, using enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizers, compared to urea, in variable doses. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 3x4+1 factorial scheme (three sources, four rates and control), with four replications. The N sources used were: common urea (U), urea treated with urease inhibitor NBPT® (UN) and Kimcoat® polymer coated urea (UK). The N rates used were 0, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg ha-1, divided in two fertilizations at 20 and 40 days after transplantation. Up to 160 kg ha-1 of N, there was no difference between N sources and N rates for both yield and RCI. The enhanced-efficiency N sources (UN and UK) promoted higher averages compared to common urea, possibly due to the higher N losses from common urea. Thus, the use of urease inhibitors or polymers associated with urea is a promising strategy to improve cabbage yield, as well as reducing N losses to the environment.
Nitrogen Recovery from Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers and Urea in Intensively Managed Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) Plantations