EFFECTS OF BORON AND NITROGEN ON GRAIN-YIELD AND ON NUTRIENTS LEVEL IN THE PLANT OF IRRIGATED WHEAT, IN THE BRAZILIAN CERRADO REGION

The effects of boron (B) and nitrogen (N) on irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop were evaluated under field conditions in a clay Dark-Red Latosol, in a cerrado area of Brazil. The experimental design was a 3 x 4 factorial in a complete randomized block design, with four levels of B (0, 1, 3 a 6 kg/ha), and three levels of N (0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) and three replicates. B (borax) was broadcasted before seeding and N (urea) was topdressed at the tillering stage. No effect of B neither of N was observed on grain yield, number of grains/spike, and the leaf content of N, P, K and Ca. Aplication of 3 kg/ha of B promoted higher concentration of Mg in leaves. Increasing of B and N levels promoted increase of B concentration in leaves. Male sterility as well as phytotoxic effects were not observed.