Physiological Quality and Seed Production of Corn and Fabaceae in Monoculture and Intercropping

Anna C S De Oliveira,Henrique Duarte Vieira,Jocarla Ambrosim Crevelari,Tiago Massi Ferraz,Antônia Alice Costa Rodrigues,Fábio Cunha Coelho,Áurea Izabel Aguiar Fonseca E Souza

doi:10.4236/ajps.2017.811175

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality and seed production of Fabaceae and corn in monoculture and intercropping in areas cropped under different management. The following treatments were evaluated: corn + NPK + weed control; corn + weed control; corn + NPK; corn + crotalaria; corn + jack bean. Intercropping raised the average number of corn ears of corn and the seed IVG Weed control positively influenced the final stand and average number of ears. NPK fertilization on corn sowing positively influenced the seed electrical conductivity. The yield of corn plants intercropped with crotalaria and jack bean was statistically similar. However, their absolute values should be considered for economic purposes. Corn seeds derived from intercropping with crotalaria were more effective compared with intercropping with jack bean. Crotalaria and jack bean seeds when intercropped with corn have high production, germination and vigor (IVG and emergence).

Highlights

The yield of corn plants intercropped with crotalaria and jack bean was statistically similar
C2—Corn in monoculture with weeding (T1 + T2) versus corn in monoculture without weeding (T3); C3—Corn in monoculture with weeding and complete fertilization (T1) versus corn in monoculture with weeding but no complete fertilization (T2); C4—Corn in mixed cultivation with crotalaria (T4) corn in mixed cultivation with jack bean (T5). It compares the effect of weeding in monoculture. It compares the effect of fertilization in the monoculture It compares the effect of crotalaria and jack bean in mixed cultivation with corn
Intercropping increased the average number of corn ears and the IVG of their seeds

Summary

Introduction

Fabaceae seeds have a high market price, which provides this type of producer with the possibility to produce them instead of buying. Many of the farmers who own smaller areas are reluctant to produce Fabaceae seeds in monoculture, mainly because it decreases the food production area while intercropping with corn is not always adopted because of the lack of information about its viability. Intercropped areas for quality Fabaceae seed production are not seen in the field, mainly due to the fear of causing a drop in corn yields and economic losses

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion