The objective of this study was to verify early nitrogen (N) fertilization on maize cultivated in succession to black oats. We conducted three experiments, relating to the 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 growing seasons, at UFSC-Curitibanos, in a randomized complete block experimental design, with four treatments and four replicates. The treatments were N management strategies in which the amount of N applied to maize was split into pre-sowing, at sowing, and topdressing times: (T1) control with no N application; (T2) 2/3 - 1/3 - 0; (T3) 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3; and (T4) 0 - 1/3 - 2/3. The biometrics and productive potential parameters of the crop were evaluated. Application of N, regardless of the treatment, increased the yield. In 2012/13, there were no significant differences between the ways in which the N application was split, although they produced a higher yield than the control, resulting in a mean yield of 5,008 kg ha-1. In 2013/14, T2 was similar to T3 and T4, resulting in a yield of 9,858 kg ha-1; in 2014/15, T3 and T4 were similar, with a mean yield of 12,466 kg ha-1, while T2 resulted in a lower yield of 10,487 kg ha-1. When 2/3 of the N is applied pre-sowing, it is only effective when it is associated with the occurrence of a drought period at an early developmental stage of the plants. In adequate rainfall conditions, the early application of N fertilization is only effective when combined with a further 1/3 of the amount of N at sowing, and later as a topdressing.