Special fertilizers in maize and residual effects on brachiaria grown in succession

Correctives and fertilizers are crucial for agricultural productivity, benefiting both main crops and succession cultivation when applied with appropriate doses and technologies. Special fertilizers are a promising alternative, enhancing nutrient supply efficiency and improving the soil/plant system. This study compared the agronomic efficiency of special fertilizers at different doses in maize (Zea mays) and their residual effects on brachiaria (Urochloa brizantha). A 6×5 factorial scheme was applied, including six fertilizer types (conventional mineral, cellulose-based crumbled organomineral, filter cake-based crumbled organomineral, cellulose-based granulated organomineral, polymer-coated mineral, and special nitric ammonia-based mineral) and five NPK fertilization levels (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg ha⁻¹) with four replications. Vegetative growth variables were assessed 70 days after sowing (V10 maize stage). Brachiaria was sown post-maize harvest without soil disturbance, and its vegetative growth variables were evaluated after 90 days. Fertilizer efficiency was analyzed, revealing that maize height and fresh mass were influenced by factor interactions. At 160 kg ha⁻¹, cellulose-based granulated organomineral and polymer-coated mineral fertilizers outperformed others. For brachiaria, the polymer mineral fertilizer demonstrated superior residual effects on tillers and fresh mass. Additionally, the cellulose-based crumbled organomineral fertilizer surpassed conventional fertilizers in equivalence, achieving 163.2 and 160.4% efficiency for maize and brachiaria, respectively. These findings confirm the enhanced effectiveness of certain special fertilizers over conventional options.