Abstract
ABSTRACT The efficiency of solar radiation conversion is a variable often used in crop growth simulation models in which the production of biomass and, consequently, carbon accumulation are related to the conversion of radiant energy into chemical compounds by plants through the process of photosynthesis. The goal of this study was to determine the efficiency of conversion of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PARi) into carbon accumulation in shoots of Ilex paraguariensis in intercropping (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. and Pinus elliottii Engelm) and monoculture. The conversion efficiency of PAR in accumulated carbon was calculated based on the ratio between the accumulated carbon and the PARi involved in the process. Our results demonstrate that the higher conversion efficiency (eb) of photosynthetically active solar radiation intercepted in carbon in yerba mate sprouts was obtained in the intercropping scenario.
Highlights
IntroductionYerba mate is present mainly in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil (BRUNETON, 1993; ESMELINDRO et al, 2002)
Our results demonstrate that the higher conversion efficiency ( b) of photosynthetically active solar radiation intercepted in carbon in yerba mate sprouts was obtained in the intercropping scenario
The results demonstrate that the accumulation in carbon in both culture systems is strongly correlated with the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted accumulated (PARiac), with correlation coefficients equivalent to 0.96 and 0.98 for the intercrop and monocrop system respectively (Figure 2)
Summary
Yerba mate is present mainly in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil (BRUNETON, 1993; ESMELINDRO et al, 2002). This species occupies an area of 76,347 hectares in Brazil, producing about 513,256 tons (t) of green leaves, which results in an average yield of 6,723 t ha-1 (IBGE, 2012). According to Mazuchowski et al (2003), Brazilian industries have favored shade-grown and/or native yerba mate, as these are softer and more accepted by their consumers. Due to these conditions, yerba mate obtained under shading conditions has generated better prices for the producer (MAZUCHOWSKI et al, 2003)
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