Abstract
The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria combined with Integrated Agricultural Production Systems (IAPS) has resulted in productivity increases in the Brazilian Cerrado region. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of inoculating or not inoculating Azospirillum brasilense on corn and palisade grass seeds (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) on growth, yield components, and dry matter yield of the aerial part and grains in an Oxisol cropped in ICLS and under a no-tillage system for 12 years in an irrigated area. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were composed of corn (monoculture) with inoculated seed, corn (monoculture) without inoculated seed, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) without inoculation, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation in both seeds, corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation of corn seeds, and corn + palisade grass (intercropping) with inoculation of grass seeds. At the end of each production cycle, the yield and components of corn, corn straw biomass, and dry matter of palisade grass were evaluated. Considering the optimal conditions of soil provided by liming and fertilization at sowing and nitrogen applied in topdressing, the application of A. brasilense in corn seeds did not show its potential. Intercropped systems inoculated or not with A. brasilense on corn seeds increase grain yield, dry matter production of grass, and nutrient accumulation in the straw, providing greater sustainability to the Cerrado no-tillage system.
Highlights
The intensification of land use for agricultural practices in the Cerrado region is increasing
Treatments inoculated with A. brasilense in both seeds were significant
At the second growing season, plant height (PH) and height of ear insertion (HEI) showed better values for all treatments except for the intercropped corn inoculated on corn seeds
Summary
The intensification of land use for agricultural practices in the Cerrado region is increasing. The use of species such as palisade grass and guinea grass intercropping with grains cultures did not cause reductions in kernels’ attributes and yield Instead of this, these grass species have deep root systems that can maintain soil moisture, cycle nutrients, produce biomass, and forage for animal grazing in the off-season (Costa et al, 2020; Mateus et al, 2020). These grass species have deep root systems that can maintain soil moisture, cycle nutrients, produce biomass, and forage for animal grazing in the off-season (Costa et al, 2020; Mateus et al, 2020) This system can reduce water losses due to evapotranspiration, as the soil is more protected against the incidence of sun and wind
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