A study was carried out during 1996, in Yellow Red Latosol at Areia in the state of Paraíba (Brazil). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of nitrogen (40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha-1 of N) and phosphorus (60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha-1 of P2O5) and two additional treatments (0 kg ha-1 of N and 0 kg ha-1 of P2O5) on some characteristics of corn crop, cv. BR 5033, under rainfed conditions, in a sandy clay loam soil. The experimental design was of randomized blocks in a factorial scheme 4² + 2 ( 4 levels x 2 factors + 2 additional treatments - level 0 of N and P2O5) with three replications. Plant parameters evaluated were stem diameter, number of grains per cob, cob weight with and without straw, and grain yield. Grain yield showed a response to the application of N and P2O5 up to levels of 111.1 kg ha-1 and 197.6 kg ha-1, respectively.
Zea mays; grain yield; fertilization
