Produção de matéria seca e propriedades físicas do solo na consorciação milho e braquiária

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the agricultural year 2010/2011, at Sao Salvador farm, located in the City of Toledo / PR. The present work was conducted with objective of evaluate the effect of corn-Brachiaria (Brachiaria ruzizienses) intercropping in dry matter production for maintenance of no-tillage system, as well as the physical properties of the soil. The experimental design was randomized blocks. The Treatments consisted of two corn cropping systems: single corn and corn associated with Brachiaria ruziziensis, with ten repetitions. Each plot had an area of one hundred square meters. Was determined the dry matter production using a metallic square with an area that was known alternately disposed in the row and between rows of corn, and all the dry matter contained therein were collected and placed in bags. For determination the soil bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity and total porosity, soil samples were collected at three depths in soil core. Was also determined the resistance to penetration. The results demonstrated that the consortium of pasture with corn influence the amount of dry matter produced. The estimated average production of dry corn intercropping, soon after harvest was 8800 kg ha-1, while single corn grown in no-till system was 6280 kg ha-1, therefore, the increase was of 40 % (2,520 kg ha-1) on dry matter production with the consortium. The intercropping maize with Brachiaria in a single crop, not promoted improvements in soil physical properties. Resistance to penetration was above 2 MPA at all depths studied.