EFFECT OF ROOSTER TREE GREEN MANURE ON CARROT AND LETTUCE INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

Ricardo Carlos Pereira Da Silva,Antônio Ewerton Da Silva Almeida,Maiele Leandro Da Silva,Francisco Bezerra Neto,Aurélio Paes Barros Júnior,Flaviana De Andrade Vieira

doi:10.1590/1983-21252018v31n303rc

Ricardo Carlos Pereira Da Silva, Antônio Ewerton Da Silva Almeida + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252018v31n303rc

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intercropping is a cropping system that involves cultivating two or more crops in the same area with different cycles and vegetative architectures. One of the ways to increase productivity and efficiency in this cropping system is through green manuring and by properly considering crop combinations, cultivation timing, and planting configuration of the component crops. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of carrot and lettuce intercropping systems under different amounts of rooster tree biomass incorporated into the soil and under different spatial arrangements. The study was conducted at the experimental farm Rafael Fernandes, RN, Brazil, in the period from September 2012 to January 2013, in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with twelve treatments and 3 replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of four rooster tree biomass amounts incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis) with three predetermined spatial arrangements between the component crops (2:2, 3:3 and 4:4), which correspond to the rows of carrot alternating with the rows of lettuce. The agronomic performance of the carrot and lettuce intercropping system was optimized in the amount of approximately 46.36 t ha-1 of rooster tree incorporated into the soil. There was no influence of the spatial arrangements on the agronomic efficiency of the carrot and lettuce intercropping. The use of rooster tree as green manure is agronomically viable in intercropped systems of carrot and lettuce.

Highlights

The practice of intercropping carrot with lettuce is beginning to be adopted in the Northeastern region of Brazil, as this system deals with the growth of two or more different cultures, with different plant architecture and root system, being able to be explored simultaneously in the same area
In order to provide support research on intercropping systems among vegetable crops fertilized with spontaneous species of Caatinga, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of carrot and lettuce intercropping treated with different biomass amounts of rooster tree incorporated into the soil and at different spatial arrangements
For the above-described characteristics evaluated in the carrot, no effect of spatial arrangements was observed, except for the medium root productivity, which was significant in the 2:2 arrangement in comparison to the 3:3 (Table 1) configuration. These results indicate that there was practically no antagonistic interference in the spatial arrangements in the carrotlettuce intercropping system

Summary

Introduction

The practice of intercropping carrot with lettuce is beginning to be adopted in the Northeastern region of Brazil, as this system deals with the growth of two or more different cultures, with different plant architecture and root system, being able to be explored simultaneously in the same area. Intercropping systems, in addition to increasing unit productivity, operates efficiently by combining optimal use of space, nutrients and sunlight, and mutual benefits including protection from pests and diseases (PIVETTA et al 2007; SILVA et al, 2011). The arrangement of two or more species is possible due to the different requirements of the intercropped crops, such as competition among plants for light, CO2, water and mineral nutrients (TÁVORA; SILVA; BLEICHER, 2007). The competition depends on the species involved, their root systems and the availability of water and nutrients (COSTA; SILVA, 2008). The combination of this management and the use of green manuring have been shown to be practical and an efficient alternative for nutrient supply and the addition of organic matter to the soil directly in the growing area. Legumes are among the plants used as green manures; they produce a large amount of biomass and are able to associate with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that make nitrogen available for species of commercial interest (SANTOS; SEDIYAMA; PEDROSA, 2013)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion