Search

Sorghum intercropping with Brachiaria has the potential to improve grain yield and dry matter in the Cerrado region, but there are no studies on the ideal density of Brachiaria seeds for adoption in intercropping when the system is deployed at the beginning of the rainy season. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the intercropping of sorghum with Brachiaria ruziziensis that may provide higher yield of grain sorghum and dry mass of both crops. We also evaluated the performance of soybeans in succession after intercropping. The test was conducted in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in tropical climate region with wet and dry seasons. The experimental design followed a randomized complete block in a factor 3 x 5 + 1 + 5, corresponding to three intercropping Brachiaria ruziziensis seeding systems (row, inter-row and broadcast sowing) associated with five densities of Brachiaria (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pure viable seeds m-2) plus the additional treatments related to monocultures of the grain sorghum and the five densities of the Brachiaria. The Brachiaria ruziziensis association with sorghum cultivation proved to be a promising technique for improving grain yield and dry matter at different times of the year without affecting the development and yield of the soybean crop culture. The best results were achieved with planting of Brachiaria ruziziensis in the line at the sowing density of 8 viable pure m-2 seeds and the inter-row sowing density of 6 viable pure m-2 seeds

This study aimed to evaluate sowing methods of different tropical grasses in integrated production systems on morphogenic and structural characteristics, chemical composition, and corn yield. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with a 3 x 3 + 1 factorial arrangement, with three forages: andropogon grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Planaltina), massai grass (Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai) and ruziziensis grass (Urochloa ruziziensis), three ways of sowing intercropped with corn (one row, two rows and broadcast) with four replications and corn in monoculture. Soil preparation, corrective practices and monitoring were carried out as recommended by the species. The results revealed that the sowing methods did not interfere with the interaction for morphogenic and structural characteristics of the grasses. Leaf elongation rate (LER) did not differ among grasses and sowing forms for Andropogon, Massai, and Ruziziensis grasses. There was an interaction effect (P0.05) of interaction for the variables of the chemical composition of grasses. Maize production was not altered due to the different consortia; however, a much lower value was found when producing corn in monoculture. The average production of intercropped corn was 3420 kg and ha-1, against 1680 kg of single cultivated corn. Massai grass and Ruziziensis grass is an attractive alternative for intercropping with corn in integrated systems

The intercropping of corn and grass allows for the production of grains, and simultaneously, the recuperation and renovation of pastures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N doses on the yield, structure, chemical-bromatological characteristics, and the N use efficiency of Brachiara brizantha cultivars in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications, in a slip-plot scheme. The plots were formed of two grass plants, Marandu and Paiaguás, intercropped with corn and subplots composed of nitrogen doses (70, 100, and 130 kg N ha-1). During the system’s establishment (1st cycle), the Paiaguás grass presented higher values for all morphogenic and structural characteristics and higher forage yield when compared to Marandu grass. After the corn harvest, the interaction effect of the N doses and the cultivars for the foliar structure emergence and the number of living leaves was observed. The variables foliar elongation rate, stem elongation rate, and phyllochron were not influenced by any of the investigated factors (P>0.05). The highest DM content was obtained with the application of 100 kg ha-1 of N, whereas, for the other chemical characteristics, there was only an effect among the cultivars. Paiaguás grass exhibited the highest levels of NDF, ADF, lignin, and MM. CP levels were not influenced by the factors studied. Marandu grass and the use of 70 kg N ha-1 are recommended for intercropping with corn

Crop-livestock integration is the production strategy that consists of the diversification and integration of the different productive, agricultural and livestock systems, within the same area. Thus, the goal was to evaluate the production, forage quality and cattle performance in Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani grasses in different forms of animal supplementation in crop-livestock integration. The study was set up a randomized block experimental design, with four replicates, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of two forages (BRS Tamani and BRS Paiaguas) and two animal supplementation strategies (mineral and protein-energy supplementation), in a crop-livestock integration system. Paiaguas palisadegrass showed higher forage production in all grazing cycles. Both forages showed satisfactory results in terms of average daily weight gain and total weight. The provision of protein supplementation to animals did not interfere with animal performance. Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani guinea grass showed potential in crop-livestock integration in succession to soybean and may be an alternative of quality food to be offered in the dry season. The system contributed to maintaining the sustainability of animal production on pasture.

Soil compaction negatively affects the physical properties of soil. The study of plants with the potential for mechanical loosening of soil is important for improving soil management and crop yield. In this context, the millet and sorghum are used as an alternative crop in the off-season in the mainly agricultural soil tropical. These roots can be a alternative to of soil mechanical loosening and avoiding mechanic tillage practices and keep soil conservation. Based on this, we assessed the aerial and root growth of millet and sorghum cultivars under different levels of soil compaction. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments comprised of four cultivars of millet (ADR300, ADR500, BN2 and BRS1501) and two sorghum hybrids (Cober crop Atlantica and Monsanto) at four levels of subsurface soil bulk density (1.34, 1.53, 1.72, and 1.81 Mg m-3). We measured the root dry matter, root length density, mean root diameter for the upper, compacted and lower layers, and also the total dry matter. At soil bulk density 1.72 Mg m-3, both sorghum hybrids showed higher aerial dry matter production. At the highest level of soil bulk density, roots accumulated in the upper layer. Millet cultivar BN2 showed a decrease in root dry matter with increasing density in the compacted layer. All millet cultivars exhibited similar average root diameter at higher levels of compaction, except Millet ADR500 that showed less root diameter in the Upper compacted layer. Cober crop showed potential for soil decompaction, indicating the potential of this sorghum hybrid to soil mechanical loosening in the tropical soils

The production of mixed silages is a technique that has emerged as a viable alternative for supplying nutrients during food-shortage periods in the dry season, in addition to guaranteeing the highest ensiled mass production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation profile and nutritional value of maize silage with Brachiaria species. The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The treatments comprised the following types of silage: maize; Congo grass; Xaraes palisadegrass; Paiaguas palisadegrass; maize + 30% Congo grass; maize + 30% Xaraes palisadegrass; and maize + 30% Paiaguas palisadegrass. For ensilage, maize and grasses were harvested in a 105-day cycle at a depth of 20 cm from the soil surface. According to the results, the maize silage and mixed silages presented an adequate fermentation profile and improved nutritional value. Among the investigated Brachiaria species, Paiaguas palisadegrass emerged because of its protein increase and low ADF content; therefore, this species is recommended for use in mixed silage production. Thus, mixed silage can be used as an alternative for animal feed supplementation

Intercropping systems have become an interesting alternative for grain and forage production because they are sustainable systems that reduce carbon emissions in degraded pasture areas. However, few studies have used forage species recently introduced into the market, and more studies that assess the performances of these species in integrated systems are needed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of intercropped sorghum and Paiaguas palisadegrass (including the species name) in a crop-livestock integration system for pasture recovery. The field experiment was conducted in the municipality of Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of the following forage systems: monocropping of sorghum, monocropping of Paiaguas palisadegrass, row intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass, interrow intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass and intercropping of sorghum with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass. To obtain a desired population of 240,000 plants ha-1, 12 seeds of sorghum and 5 kg of viable pure seeds of the forage species were planted per meter and hectare, respectively. The growth of Paiaguas palisadegrass in the same row as sorghum reduced the sorghum grain yield. The intercropping of sorghum with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass hindered the initial development of Paiaguas palisadegrass in terms of plant height and number of tillers due to shading, and this effect was reflected in the dry mass production. Row and interrow intercropping provided higher dry mass production without affecting the forage quality. Therefore, the interrow intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass was found to be a promising agricultural technique for grain and forage production that could be used for the establishment of new pastures or pasture recovery.

On the basis of the natural seasonality of pastures during the dry season, preservation of forage, especially silage, is necessary. However, the effects of soil compaction within sunflower and grass crop fields on the nutritional quality of the silage produced are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation and nutritional quality characteristics of sunflower silage under both monocropping and intercropping systems [with Paiaguas palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha)] under various degrees of soil compaction. A split-plot randomized complete block design was adopted. In the main plots, the treatments were bulk density values affected by the following traffic intensities: 0, 2, 10 or 30 passes of a tractor with tire wheels weighing 4.9 Mg. The subplots involved forage systems composed of sunflower as a monocrop or intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass. The fermentation, nutritional characteristics and in vitro digestibility of the silage were evaluated. Under the various aforementioned conditions, the agronomic characteristics of the forage were affected by increased soil compaction, resulting in changes in the fermentation and nutritional characteristics of the silage. The results showed that intercropping with Paiaguas palisadegrass and adequate proportions of sunflower allow good fermentation. This study recommends the adoption of practices that mitigate soil compaction and intercropping because of the increased forage productivity and the possibility of indirect renewal of the pasture.

Integrated crop-livestock systems maximize land use, infrastructure and labor; diversify production; and minimize costs, thereby reducing risks and adding value to agricultural products. However, growing mechanically harvested crops can negatively affect soil structure, reducing plant biomass productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate soil compaction and its effects on the forage productivity of sunflower and Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguas during the second cropping period. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications. Four compaction levels represented by traffic from an agricultural tractor were established: 0 (absence of compaction), 2, 10 and 30 passes over the same spot. Two forage systems were established in the subplots: sunflower grown solely as a monocrop (40,000 plants ha-1) or intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass (10 plants linear m-1). The following parameters were quantified: soil bulk density, plant height, capitulum diameter and 1000-achene weight for sunflower; stem length and the leaf/stem ratio for Paiaguas palisadegrass; and total and partitioned forage productivity. The results showed that sunflower was highly sensitive to soil compaction and that the development and productivity of this species decreased in response to the greatest bulk density, which in turn affected the Paiaguas palisadegrass. Overall, intercropping is recommended for increased forage productivity.

With the adoption of integrated production systems, relative gains in soybean yield have been achieved due to the permanence of vegetal residues on the soil surface. These residues favour the soil microbiota responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling, which makes integrated agrosystems sustainable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of soybeans under the production and decomposition of sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass biomass in different integrated production systems. The experiment was conducted off season in a dystroferric Red Latosol soil in a randomized block experimental design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the following forage systems: monocropped sunflowers; monocropped Paiaguas palisadegrass; row sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass; inter-row sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass; and oversown sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass. The results showed that the monocropped sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass presented the highest biomass production throughout the soybean development cycle, with the slowest decomposition, representing a strategy to increase soil cover efficiency mainly in the period prior to summer planting. The soybean cultivated in the biomass of the monocropped Paiaguas palisadegrass and the Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped in rows and in inter-rows presented better yields and was positively influenced by the production parameters compared with soybean cultivated otherwise. Therefore, sunflower intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass during the off season in the Central-West Region of Brazil was shown to be a promising and sustainable cultivation technique for the production of biomass for no-tillage systems.