DO CROTALARIA PLANT HEIGHT AND MAIZE INTER-ROW SPACING AFFECT INTERCROPPED MAIZE YIELD?

Authors

  • VINÍCIUS CAMBAÚVA Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal
  • FÁBIO TIRABOSCHI LEAL Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal
  • ANDERSON PRATES COELHO Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal
  • LEANDRO BORGES LEMOS Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18512/rbms2022v21e12260

Abstract

Intercropping with Crotalaria species may reduce maize yield; thus, evaluations must understand and explain competition in an intercropped system. The aim was to evaluate the effects of Crotalaria species and inter-row maize spacing on the growth and yield of intercropped maize. A randomized block design in a split-plot scheme was used. Plots comprised maize inter-row spacings of 0.45 and 0.90 m. Subplots consisted of four cropping systems: maize monoculture and three systems of maize intercropped with C. juncea, C. spectabilis, and C. ochroleuca. Plant heights of maize and Crotalaria species throughout the cycle, maize yield, and Crotalaria dry mass were evaluated. The critical plant height of Crotalaria that reduced maize yield ranged from 0.32 to 0.75 m, that is, the more advanced the maize cycle, the greater the critical plant height of Crotalaria. Intercropping with C. juncea was the only one that reduced maize yield (21%) compared to its monoculture, and inter-row maize spacing did not affect the variables. These results were due to the greater plant height (more than 100% higher) and final dry mass (more than 80% higher) of C. juncea compared to the other Crotalaria species, promoting competition with maize for water, light, and nutrients. The choice of Crotalaria species is essential for management in maize intercropped systems, associating the ecosystem benefits of the intercropping without reducing the cereal yield.

Author Biographies

VINÍCIUS CAMBAÚVA, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

Engenheiro Agrônomo formado na Unesp/FCAV, Jaboticabal, SP.

FÁBIO TIRABOSCHI LEAL, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

Doutor em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) pela Unesp/FCAV, Jaboticabal, SP.

ANDERSON PRATES COELHO, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

Doutorando em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) pela FCAV/Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP.

LEANDRO BORGES LEMOS, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal

Professor Dr. no Departamento de Ciências da Produção Agrícola da Unesp/FCAV, Jaboticabal, SP.

Published

2022-06-20

How to Cite

CAMBAÚVA, V., LEAL, F. T., COELHO, A. P., & LEMOS, L. B. (2022). DO CROTALARIA PLANT HEIGHT AND MAIZE INTER-ROW SPACING AFFECT INTERCROPPED MAIZE YIELD?. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE MILHO E SORGO, 21. https://doi.org/10.18512/rbms2022v21e12260

Issue

Section

Scientific Paper

Most read articles by the same author(s)