Abstract
ABSTRACT The corn biomass and nutrient dynamics may be altered when it is intercropped with Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa spp.). The present study aimed to investigate the dynamics of biomass, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for farming systems that produce corn intercropped with Brachiaria species. Field experiments were performed during the season and off-season, in a split-plot design. The main plots were composed of Brachiaria species (B. brizantha,B. ruziziensis and B. Convert) intercropped with corn, in addition to corn monocropping. The subplots consisted of three forage sampling periods, ranging from 0 to 60 days after the corn harvest. The intercropping arrangements did not affect the corn grain yield, nutrient accumulation and partitioning, relatively to the corn monocropping. After the grain harvest, B. brizantha achieved the greater biomass accumulation rate in both the season (69 kg ha-1 day-1) and off-season (17 kg ha-1 day-1). The nutrient accumulation ranged widely between the Brachiaria species and planting seasons: 0.2-1.2 kg ha-1 day-1 for N; 0.01-0.07 kg ha-1 day-1 for P; and 0.13-0.8 kg ha-1 day-1 for K. However, the greatest nutrient accumulation was found for B. brizantha, followed by B. ruziziensis and then B. Convert. In the short-term, corn intercropped with Brachiaria in the season showed the largest effect on the nutrient cycling and biomass yield. The intercropping between corn and B. brizantha in the season was the best way to enhance the biomass yield and the N, P and K cycling.
Highlights
Cover crops have been included in crop rotation to meet challenges such as the deterioration of soil physical traits and nutrient losses
This study aimed to evaluate the accumulation and partitioning of biomass nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in corn and Brachiaria species intercropped both in the season and off-season, as well as to verify the potential of nutrient cycling after the corn harvesting, given that intercropping benefits are closely associated with biomass and nutrient accumulation by the forage species
The corn grain yield was not affected by the farming systems, being 6.8 ± 0.7 Mg ha-1, 5.7 ± 0.8 Mg ha-1, 5.8 ± 0.5 Mg ha-1 and 7.0 ± 0.4 Mg ha-1, respectively for corn monocropping, corn-B
Summary
Cover crops have been included in crop rotation to meet challenges such as the deterioration of soil physical traits and nutrient losses. Cover crops contribute to the recovery and cycling of nutrients, reduce the risk of soil erosion and assist in controlling pests, diseases and nematodes (Leandro & Asmus 2015, Ren et al 2019, Tanaka et al 2019). To investigate the competition between corn and Brachiaria species, studies have assessed the nutrient balance in the intercropping period, in relation to the plating period, plant density and corn maturity ratings (Borghi et al 2013, Ceccon et al 2013, Crusciol et al 2013). Little attention has been given to the nutrient accumulation and partitioning after the corn harvesting, especially among Brachiaria species
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