Nitrogen is one of the nutrients wheat needs most, but is often not supplied neither in the right quantity nor at the right time. Because of the importance of nitrogen fertilization and the lack of information available in Paraguay, this study was developed to establish a nitrogen fertilizer recommendation for wheat under no-till. Six field experiments were carried out over a period of two years, in four Departments of Paraguay, considering the most important soils (Oxisols, Inceptisols and Ultisols) and regions (Alto Paraná, Itapúa, Amambay and Missiones). Five N rates (0, 30, 60 90, 120 kg ha-1) were applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum) after corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max), and the residual effect on wheat of N applied to the precedent corn crop was evaluated (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1), in 5 x 8m plots, in a random block design with three replications. Economically, wheat after soybean responded positively to the N rate of 35 kg ha-1 with yields around 3.100 kg ha-1. After corn, wheat responded economically to doses of up to 30 kg ha-1 N and reached a grain yield of 2.100 kg ha-1. When the concentration of soil organic matter is higher than 4 %, a sufficient quantity of N is available without mineral N fertilization, for yields up to 2.500 kg ha-1. Wheat responded to residual N applied to corn with a yield increase from 1.800 kg ha-1 (0 kg ha-1) to 2.300 kg ha-1 (N applied to corn estimated at 213 kg ha-1, averaged across all sites).
yield response; maximum technical efficiency; maximum economical efficiency; soil fertility; crop succession
