Production of maize and signal grass under nitrogen and phosphate fertilization

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of maize and Brachiaria brizantha intercropping under phosphate and nitrogen fertilization, and the establishment of the pasture after harvesting the maize. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized blocks design, as a factorial scheme 3x4+3, with three replicates. The first factor consisted of the P2O5 levels applied in maize sowing (50, 100 e 150 kg ha^-1) and the second factor consisted of the nitrogen fertilization levels, in which: 15+0+0+0; 15+30+0+0; 15+90+0+0; e 15+90+40+40 kg ha^-1 were applied in the sowing; in the stage with 5-6 open maize leaves; in the maize harvest; and in the beginning of the following rain season, respectively. B. brizantha control (fertilized and not fertilized) and maize monoculture were the additional treatments. As the fertilization levels increased, higher maize yield was observed. Intercropped, the maize reduced the forage yield. Considering the fertilizer residue, a better yield of B. brizantha intercropped at higher levels of fertilization was observed. However, the same yield was lower than the pasture fertilized. The non fertilized pasture produced half of the pasture yield of the control.