Abstract
ABSTRACT Fertilization systems that allow higher sowing speeds have been used in areas of grain production, as well as the use of intercropping to improve soil physical quality and provide better soil cover. This study aimed to evaluate soil attributes and the initial corn development and intercropping (corn + velvet bean, corn + pigeonpea, and corn + bonavist bean) as a function of fertilization systems (pre-sowing and sowing). The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol in a randomized block design in the 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications. The number of days for emergence, plant stand, intercropping dry matter, soil straw cover, soil straw permanence index, penetration resistance, soil moisture, soil density, degree of compaction, and total soil porosity were measured. The percentage of soil straw cover was affected by fertilization system, mainly by pre-sowing fertilization. Soil physical attributes were not affected by fertilization and intercropping systems, except total porosity, in the 0–0.10 m layer, which has a combined effect of factors. The initial corn development was not affected by fertilization and intercropping systems. Velvet bean presented the highest number of days for the emergence and lower dry matter.
Highlights
The cultivated area increases as the demand for new production technologies increases
According to Francetto et al (2015), this occurs due to the dimensional characteristics of the elements that interfere with the cutting, shear, and compaction stresses caused to the soil
After pre-sowing fertilization (30 days), soil cover increased by 8.8%, while at the site of fertilization only sowing increased by 6.1%
Summary
The cultivated area increases as the demand for new production technologies increases. It is essential that alternatives be designed to reduce impacts and promote productivity gains, without compromising crop energy balance, as well as contributing to the improvement of soil physical, chemical, and biological conditions (Pereira et al, 2013; Cardoso et al, 2014). The use of cover crops may lead to improvements in soil quality, microbial biomass, water storage, carbon sequestration, and improved nutrient supply to plants (Frasier et al, 2016). Corn intercropped with legumes generates an advantage because its physiology is more efficient in carbon sequestration and dry matter accumulation at high temperatures, with a beneficial effect in subsequent years in the same intercropping area (Paz et al, 2012)
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