Growth and solar radiation use efficiency of corn cultivated in agroforestry systems

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are a more sustainable alternative to food and energy production without compromising existing agroecosystems. In this context, the study aimed to analyze the growth characteristics and the solar radition use efficiency of corn cultivated in different arrangements of agroforestry and monoculture systems. The study was conducted in the experimental area of the Laboratory of Agroclimatology of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Campus of Frederico Westphalen – RS, Brazil. The experimental design was a complete randomized block, arranged in a factorial scheme of 3 × 2 × 2 representing two arrangements of agroforestry systems (Intercrop I and Intercrop II) and the monoculture of corn; two forest species, Peltophorum dubium (Spr.) Taubert, denoted as P. dubium and the hybrid Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake × Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden, denoted as Eucalyptus; and two crop years (Crop I and Crop II), with four replicates each. The growth rates varied between the different systems, with the highest values recorded for the absolute growth rate in the monoculture system, in both crop years, for the relative growth rate in the Eucalyptus-Intercrop I-Crop I and monoculture system-Crop II plots, and for the net assimilation rate in the Eucalyptus-Intercrop II in both crop years. The solar radiation use efficiency was varied between the different systems, with greater values of efficiency found in the Eucalyptus-Intercrop I-Crop I and in Eucalyptus-Intercrop II-Crop II plots. Therefore, different agroforestry arrangements influence corn growth; however, further studies related to this subject are needed as it is a way to optimize land use.