Surface application of gypsum and development of upland rice under no-tillage system

The use of gypsum in the no-tillage system (NTS) may be a viable alternative for the cultivation of upland rice, as it carries nutrients to the deeper layers and stimulates root growth. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the application of gypsum on the soil surface without tillage on plant height and lodging, yield components, yield and grain quality of upland rice. The study was conducted during three growing seasons under field conditions in Selviria municipality, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in 4 x 3 factorial design with five replications. The treatments consisted of doses of gypsum (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 kg ha(-1)) in the growing season (2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13). The gypsum application did not affect plant height, lodging, yield components, grain yield and grain quality of upland rice in NTS when sown in soil with low aluminum saturation and high levels of calcium in the layer 20-40 cm.