Dose of Azospirillum brasilense in single maize and intercropped with brachiaria in different soils

Abstract

The intercropped of cultures and biological organisms are sustainable ways to produce due to the benefits for the environment, soil, and plant, in addition to reducing costs in cultivation. The objective was to evaluate the influence of doses of Azospirillum brasilense in two soil classes in the cultivation of single maize and in intercropping with Brachiaria ruziziensis. The experimental design was in randomized block, in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with six replications. First factor being two soils: Latossolo Vermelho Eutrófico (clayish) and Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico (sandy); the second factor two types of cultivation: single maize and intercropped with B. ruziziensis; the third inoculation factor: without inoculant, with one dose (120 mL per 50 kg of seed), and with two doses of A. brasilense. The potential of clayey soils had high values in relation to sandy soil for the trait hundred grain weight, and, also when associated in intercrop of maize with brachiaria for plant height, number of grains per ear had higher values than in sandy soils. One or two doses of A. brasilense in clayey soil and intercropped of maize with brachiaria resulted in higher maize grain yield.