Abstract
Intercropping consist in growing two or more species with different vegetative cycles and architectures, simultaneously cultivated in same field and same period of time, not necessarily having been sown at the same time. The objective of this study was to evaluate different populations of cowpea development intercropped with Eucalyptus, in order to determine the number of rows of cowpea generates higher grain productivity. This work was carried out at Universidade Federal do Tocantins, in Gurupi, Tocantins, Brazil. The treatments were arranged for different densities of cowpea rows: eight rows, six rows, and four rows of cultivars BRS Nova Era and BRS Sempre Verde, also a control in conventional cropping. The cowpea sowing occurred after 12 months eucalyptus planting. The evaluated characteristics were Flowering (FLOW), Mass of 100 grain (GM), Number of grains per green pod (NGP), Chlorophyll Index (CI) and Grain yield (GY). The density of eight rows have obtained better results for most characteristics, being the density limiting factor for bean production could unfeasible the intercropping system. The BRS Nova Era responds better on most characteristics, probably for a better adaptation to the environment and hold superior characters than BRS Sempre Verde.
Highlights
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, is an import source of protein for human
Intercropping can be defined as a cultivation system which two or more crops, with different vegetative cycles and plant architecture, are concomitantly harvested in same area (Machado Filho & Silva, 2012)
According to the variance analysis (Table 3), a significant effect of cultivar versus number of row interaction was observed for flowering characteristics, chlorophyll index, number of grain per pods and grain yield evidencing interdependence of factors
Summary
In Brazil, the season harvest 2016/2017 have cultivated approximately 1.1 million ha, and the production was 1.4 million tones (productivity 921.2 kg ha-1). In Tocantins, the planted area was 4800 ha, production of 3100 thousand tons and productivity of 642 kg ha-1 (CONAb, 2017). According to Benvindo et al (2010), in the North and Northeast of Brazil, cowpea crop generally has low yield (around 300 kg ha-1), mainly due to climate conditions, as well as low level of technology and using seeds from successive crops. Intercropping can be defined as a cultivation system which two or more crops, with different vegetative cycles and plant architecture, are concomitantly harvested in same area (Machado Filho & Silva, 2012). Sown not necessarily at same time, for a part of plant developmental there is simultaneity, causing interaction between crops. In striped crops are planted in broad strips to allow for independent management of each crop, narrow allowing interaction between crops (Vieira, 1985)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.