GROWTH AND MICRONUTRIENT CONCENTRATION IN MAIZE PLANTS UNDER NICKEL AND LIME APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba-MT, from March to May 2012. The objective was to assess the effects of different rates of nickel application with and without liming on maize growth and micronutrient levels. The study was a randomized block design in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replicates, for a total of 40 plots, including with and without liming and five rates of nickel application, on a clayey Red Yellow Latosol (Oxisol, USDA classification and Ferralsol, FAO classification). Both lime and nickel applications influenced plant growth, reducing plant development with increased nickel application without liming. It was also observed that both lime and nickel applications altered micronutrient levels in the maize plants, independent of which part of the plant was evaluated. Nickel played an antagonistic role with manganese and zinc and a synergistic role with copper and iron.