Assessment of economic and environmental performance in citrus-based intercropping systems

Carlos Roberto Martins,Geraldo Stachetti Rodrigues,Inácio De Barros

doi:10.1590/0100-29452021463

Carlos Roberto Martins, Geraldo Stachetti Rodrigues + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452021463

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Abstract

Abstract The economic and environmental performances of agriculture intercropping depend on the complementarities between the crops that make up the system. The objective of this work was to analyze the citrus-based intercropping systems in the Coastal Tablelands region of Northeastern Brazil, aiming to identify the associations of crops with better economic and environmental performances. The study started with the construction of a set of integrated indicators, with which the field information was recorded and the performance indices calculated, based on three principles: Profitability, Productive Efficiency, and Biological Regulation. Citrus orchards in monoculture resulted in lower environmental economic performance indices. The intercropping systems that yielded the best environmental and economic performance indices in the citrus orchards were: cassava; cassava, corn and beans; corn and pumpkin. The indicators associated with these economic-environmental performances were profit, seasonality, productive diversity, profit evenness, plant health control impact level, and efficiency in the use of water, nitrogen, and phosphate.

Highlights

Citrus fruits are among the most consumed in the world, either in the form of fresh fruit or juice
In striking contrast with the intensive monoculture plantations of the main producing regions in the country’s Southeast, the citrus orchards of Northeastern Brazil are usually grown amid coconut plantations, seasonal maize crops and extensive pastures along the zone known as Coastal Tablelands (CARVALHO et al, 2020; MELO FILHO et al, 2009)
Pera (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) (CARVALHO et al, 2020; RODRIGUES et al, 2016; TEODORO, 2020) grafted on Rangpur lime (C. limonia Osbeck) (MARTINS et al 2016; MENESES et al, 2019; CARVALHO et al, 2019; SANTANA et al 2019), either as monocultures with production mostly directed to the juice processing industry, or as multi-species intercropping systems directed to the local fruit markets

Summary

Introduction

Citrus fruits are among the most consumed in the world, either in the form of fresh fruit or juice. In Brazil, 18 million tons of oranges are harvested annually, representing 35% of global fruit production and 56% of the world’s orange juice (CURTOLO et al, 2017), accounting for approximately 73% of the international market (FAS-USDA, 2019). With 142,826 hectares of orchards and producing 1,948,043 tons of fruits, with an average yield of approximately 13.3 t.ha-1 (IBGE, 2018), the region stands as the seventh largest orange producer in the world. In striking contrast with the intensive monoculture plantations of the main producing regions in the country’s Southeast, the citrus orchards of Northeastern Brazil are usually grown amid coconut plantations, seasonal maize crops and extensive pastures along the zone known as Coastal Tablelands (CARVALHO et al, 2020; MELO FILHO et al, 2009). Pera (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) (CARVALHO et al, 2020; RODRIGUES et al, 2016; TEODORO, 2020) grafted on Rangpur lime (C. limonia Osbeck) (MARTINS et al 2016; MENESES et al, 2019; CARVALHO et al, 2019; SANTANA et al 2019), either as monocultures with production mostly directed to the juice processing industry, or as multi-species intercropping systems directed to the local fruit markets

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