Performance of intercropped second-crop maize with <i>Brachiaria</i> ruziziensis cv. Common

Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the performance of second-crop maize intercropped with Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Common cultivated on different sowing seasons, as well as its response to mineral fertilization in a no-tillage system. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks, in a split plot scheme, with four replicates. The plots consisted of the Brachiaria ruziziensis fertilization (with and without fertilization of 270 kg ha^-1 of the 08-20-20 formula). The subplots consisted of three sowing seasons of Brachiaria ruziziensis (0, 15 and 30 days after the maize sowing). Second-crop maize yield components were evaluated (ear size, base diameter, center and top ear, number of grain rows per ear, mass of a thousand grains and productivity) and dry mass production of Brachiaria ruziziensis in three evaluations (0, 15 and 30 days after maize sowing). The results obtained in the present work evidence the technical viability of the intercrop, if both species are implanted simultaneously, since the intercropped system would permit the maize grain production, without B. ruziziensis establishment impairment. Dry mass production of Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. comum shows different responses regarding
sowing seasons and the use of chemical fertilization, whereby the simultaneous sowing of the two species had the biggest productions of dry mass.