Does foliar nicotinamide application affect second-crop corn (Zea mays)?

The largest corn yield in Brazil is currently provided from the second-crop, which is the most susceptible period to climatic adversities occurring during crop development. Thus, introducing beneficial elements for maintaining the adequate development of the plant can help producers in obtaining higher grain yields. Among studied elements, nicotinamide has potential use since it is associated with accumulating secondary metabolites and manifesting defense metabolism in plants. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of nicotinamide applied in different doses (one or two applications) on the biometric and productive characteristics of corn. The treatments were composed of the number of nicotinamide applications (one or two) and five doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L-1). Plant diameter, plant height, ear insertion height, leaf area and dry matter, grain yield, and 100-kernel mass were evaluated. It was found that doses close to 100 mg L-1 resulted in increases in vegetative and reproductive development, regardless of the number of applications. In this way, the foliar nicotinamide application positively influences the biometric and productive characteristics of second-crop corn.