Physical Attributes of the Soil and Maize Productivity Under an Intercrop System

Paulo Ricardo Alves Dos Santos,José Evanaldo Lima Lopes,Alexsandro Oliveira Da Silva,Clice De Araújo Mendonça,Francisca Edcarla De Araújo Nicolau,Carlos Alessandro Chioderoli,Marcelo Queiroz Amorim

doi:10.5539/jas.v10n12p358

Abstract

The intensive use of agricultural areas for farming, together with inadequate management, can cause soil degradation and promote a low-quality environment for crops; An intercrop system of maize and forage can therefore be an alternative to existing production systems. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of intercropping maize with forage on the physical attributes of the soil and on productivity in maize, as a function of the sowing season and different forages, in the northeastern region of Brazil. A trial intercrop of maize with three forages (Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum &lsquo;Mombasa&rsquo;, and Crotalaria spectabilis a.) was planted at two different times: phase 1-forage sown between the rows of maize, mixed with the basal dressing; and phase 2-forage sown between the rows, at the V4 stage in maize; in addition to maize with no intercrop (control). The trial was carried out in a randomised block design, with four replications. Forage Mombasa inserted in phase 1 (1) and phase (2) of sowing favored higher values of macroporosity in the layers 0.0-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m respectively. For the mass of 1000 grains and grain yield, there were no significant differences between the treatments when compared to the exclusive corn. It was concluded that the maize-forage intercrop promotes changes in the physical attributes of the soil (macroporosity, total porosity and density), and that maize productivity is not affected by the intercrop system.

Highlights

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most cultivated cereal in the world (Simão, 2016)
Neto et al (2012) report that sowing time is one variable that can directly interfere with the development and yield of the main crop, and it is necessary for producers to have knowledge of the best time of sowing to avoid being unsuccessful
A number of authors have reported that the presence of forage does not affect grain yield of maize (Ferreira et al, 2017; Garcia et al, 2013)

Summary

Introduction

In addition to being an annual crop that most stands out when intercropped with forages, it has an economic importance characterised by its many forms of use. The use of conservation systems is becoming increasingly more frequent in the different regions of Brazil, as these systems offer advantages to the environment, as well as greater crop productivity (Coser et al, 2016; Carvalho et al, 2015). Intercropping consists of the simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops in the same area, not necessarily planted or sown at the same time (Magalhães et al, 2013). Forage plants, when intercropped with maize, can be sown either together with the maize crop, or about 10 to 20 days after maize has emerged. A number of authors have reported that the presence of forage does not affect grain yield of maize (Ferreira et al, 2017; Garcia et al, 2013)

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Conclusion