Growth, Nutrient Content and SPAD Value of Corn in Monoculture and in Intercropping

Anna Christina Sanazário De Oliveira,Raquel Fialho Rubim,Jocarla Ambrosim Crevelari,Henrique Duarte Vieira,Fábio Cunha Coelho

doi:10.4236/ajps.2014.518288

Anna Christina Sanazário De Oliveira, Raquel Fialho Rubim + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2014.518288

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, the nutrition, and the intensity of the green color in corn plants in monoculture and in intercropping with Mucuna aterrima, Crotalaria juncea, and Canavalia ensiformis, cultivated with different handlings. In general, corn plants in monoculture demonstrated greater growth and greater SPAD value in the first evaluation, despite presenting lower tenor of phosphorus in the leaves when related to the corn in intercropping. The weed helps in the growth of the corn plant and increases the SPAD value during flowering. The monoculture NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertilization promoted higher values in corn plant growth, as well as a greater SPAD value, at 30 d.a.e., of the plants. The NPK-fertilized corn plants showed a greater tenor of sulphur and a lower tenor of molybdenum. The corn in intercropping with M. aterrima resulted in smaller plants at 70 d.a.e. It also presented a greater tenor of molybdenum and lower tenor of nickel when compared to intercroppings with C. juncea and with C. ensiformis. The corn plants in a intercropping with Crotalaria juncea presented higher growth at 30 and 70 d.a.e. and greater tenors of molybdenum when compared to the plants in intercropping with C. ensiformis.

Highlights

Corn is a cereal originated from Central America and cultivated throughout Brazil
Even though [12] stated that early in the development cycle, the crop and the weeds can live for a certain period without incurring damage to the crop productivity, a period called “period before interference” (PAI), when the environment is capable of providing the necessary resources for the growth of the weed community and of the crop culture
The weed favors the growth of corn plants

Summary

Introduction

Corn is a cereal originated from Central America and cultivated throughout Brazil. It has high economic importance because of its different uses, ranging from human and animal feeding to the high technological industry.How to cite this paper: de Oliveira, A.C.S., Coelho, F.C., Vieira, H.D., Crevelari, J.A. and Rubim, R.F. (2014) Growth, Nutrient Content and SPAD Value of Corn in Monoculture and in Intercropping. Corn is a cereal originated from Central America and cultivated throughout Brazil. It has high economic importance because of its different uses, ranging from human and animal feeding to the high technological industry. Amongst them is the use of green fertilizers, which may or may not be incorporated to soil in rotation, succession or intercropping with different cultures. The green fertilization has the purpose of preserving or restoring the productivity of agricultural lands. Green fertilizations have been used to improve the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and to increase the productivity of several cultures. The contribution in fertility improvement in soil by the supply of nutrients is one of the expected qualities by the application of green fertilization, e.g., the Fabaceae, which can contribute with fixed nitrogen, increasing and conserving the nitrogen in the soil [1]

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