CORN-TREE PROXIMITY EFFECTS IN AGROFORESTRY EXPERIMENTS

Vianney Reinaldo De Oliveira,Patrícia Liany De Oliveira Fernandes Siqueira,Maria Zuleide De Negreiros,Paulo Sérgio Lima E Silva,Iron Macedo Dantas

doi:10.1590/1983-21252016v29n315rc

Vianney Reinaldo De Oliveira, Patrícia Liany De Oliveira Fernandes Siqueira + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252016v29n315rc

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Abstract

ABSTRACT In agroforestry systems, annual plants closest to trees may behave differently from plants in rows that are more distant. This study evaluated the proximity effects of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (sabiá) and Gliricidia sepium (gliricidia) on corn yield under the taungya and alley cropping systems. The two species were evaluated, in randomised blocks with five replications, in 2010 and 2011, under taungya and alley cropping, respectively. Three rows of corn (left, middle, and right) were grown between two rows of trees. Sabiá trees grew higher than gliricidia trees. The difference in crown diameter between species depended on plant age. There was a linear relationship between plant age and plant height and between plant age and crown diameter for both sabiá and gliricidia trees. In the taungya system, left rows produced more green ears than middle and right rows, but grain yield was higher in middle rows. In the alley system, green ear yield was also higher in left rows than in middle and right rows, but grain yield was unaffected by row position. In both agroforestry systems, there were no differences in corn yield for corn grown between sabiá or gliricidia trees.

Highlights

Agroforestry systems are alternative land-use management systems that combine trees or shrubs with crops or livestock to increase diversity and to improve farm and forest production, while helping prevent land degradation (ARAUJO et al, 2012)
Plant height was greater in sabiá trees than in gliricidia trees
There was a linear relationship between plant age and plant height and between plant age and crown diameter for sabiá and gliricidia trees

Summary

Introduction

Agroforestry systems are alternative land-use management systems that combine trees or shrubs with crops or livestock to increase diversity and to improve farm and forest production, while helping prevent land degradation (ARAUJO et al, 2012). Plant competitive ability for light is determined by leaf area, canopy structure, and root traits. The intercropping of forest species with annual crops aims to optimize yield and economic return per unit area. Studies on proximity effects may help farmers determine the number of rows of annual crops that can be grown between the rows of trees to maximize yield. These studies may be useful in assessing competition between species, the effects of the tree species on soil nutrients and microclimate (MARIN et al, 2006)

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