Abstract
Although several studies about intercropping green manures with vegetable crops have already been carried out, there are few studies in which the economic analysis was performed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the economic profitability of the taro and Crotalaria juncea consortium, as well as broccoli, green maize and snow pea grown in succession. The treatments correspond to 10 different cutting dates of the sunn hemp during its intercropping with taro (55, 70, 85, 100, 115, 130, 145, 160, 190 and 220 DAS-days after sowing), plus the monoculture of the taro. Under the legumious cover crop straw were grown in succession: broccoli, green maize and snow pea. The use of Crotalaria juncea in a consortium does not affect the productivity and economic profitability of the taro when cutting up to 130 DAS. The residual effect of Crotalaria juncea grown in consortium with taro increases the economic yield of broccoli when the cutting is performed from 145 DAS. However, it does not affect green maize and snow pea. When the taro is cultivated intercropped with Crotalaria juncea and in succession broccoli, green maize and snow pea are grown, higher yields and economic incomes are obtained by cutting the leguminous green manure up to 130 DAS.
Highlights
The production of vegetables covers about a hundred species that are grown temporarily throughout the year
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the economic profitability of the taro and Crotalaria juncea consortium, as well as broccoli, green maize and snow pea grown in succession
When the taro is cultivated intercropped with Crotalaria juncea and in succession broccoli, green maize and snow pea are grown, higher economic yields are obtained by cutting the leguminous green manure up to 130 days after sowing (DAS)
Summary
The production of vegetables covers about a hundred species that are grown temporarily throughout the year. Due to the population’s increased awareness over healthy and pesticide-free foods, associated with the search for sustainability in agriculture systems through the rational use of natural resources and inputs for food production, the consumers are becoming more demanding in their food choices, and the producer is meeting this demand by seeking alternative farming methods. In this context, organic fertilization represents one of the alternative cultivation practices, which provides organic matter and nutrients for the plants, making it possible to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers applied (Buzinaro et al, 2009). The maintenance of soil organic matter and the sequestering of carbon from the atmosphere, as well as the recovery of degraded soils and weed control are benefits from this practice (Oliveira et al, 2015)
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