Abstract
ABSTRACT In intercropping systems, a high plant density can delay the biomass accumulation and affect the water availability to plants. This study aimed to evaluate the soil water dynamics and the crop yield performance in maize and Brachiaria ruziziensis intercropping under different sowing densities of the forage grass. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with treatments associated to the sowing densities (2 kg ha-1, 4 kg ha-1, 6 kg ha-1 and 8 kg ha-1) and the single cropping for both species as controls. The maize plants were evaluated for grain yield and B. ruziziensis for number of plants per hectare and shoot fresh and dry matter. The intercropping performance was evaluated using the land-use efficiency index. The soil water dynamics was monitored in two soil depths (0-0.3 m and 0.3-0.6 m) by using the time domain reflectometry method. The evaluation of soil water storage was carried out from plots with four of the crop systems (single maize or B. ruziziensis, and intercropping with the extreme sowing densities), at four different times. The increase in the sowing density of B. ruziziensis decreased the grain yield of the intercropped maize by 30.8 %. The intercropping system using 2 kg ha-1 of the grass seeds resulted in the best land-use efficiency (23 %). In addition, the intercropping treatments promoted a higher extraction of water from the soil, mainly at the maize growth stages with higher hydric demand (e.g., flowering and grain filling). These systems stimulate the extraction of water from deeper soil layers, when compared to maize in single cropping.
Highlights
Agriculture is responsible for the transformation of environments in the Brazilian Savanna biome due to the use of conventional agricultural systems, which cause physical, chemical and biological degradation of large areas (Kluthcouski & Stone 2003, Maitelli & Oliveira 2011)
This study aimed to evaluate the soil water dynamics, as a function of some maize and B. ruziziensis intercropping systems, and their production performance and land-use efficiency, under different sowing densities of this forage grass
Significant differences (p < 0.05) in maize grain yield were found for the evaluated Brachiaria ruziziensis sowing densities
Summary
Agriculture is responsible for the transformation of environments in the Brazilian Savanna biome due to the use of conventional agricultural systems, which cause physical, chemical and biological degradation of large areas (Kluthcouski & Stone 2003, Maitelli & Oliveira 2011). The adoption of intercropping systems using grain and forage species has increased, since their adequate. This denotes the importance of information on competition of the species used in these systems for light, nutrients and, as in the case of the present study, water
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
