Autoria: SOUZA, V. S.; FERREIRA, J. B. G.; SANTOS, D. de C.; GRESCHUK, L. T.; SCHIEBELBEIN, B. E.; BORTOLO, L. de S.; GONÇALO, T. P.; FIALHO, A. R.; SOUZA, S. O. de; PAIM, T. do P.; ALMEIDA, R. E. M. de; VILELA, L.; CHERUBIN, M. R.

Resumo: Intercropping annual cash crops with grasses is a strategy that promotes both diversification and intensification of production in the same area, contributing to sustainable food systems. This study evaluated the impact of intercropping maize with different Urochloa species on maize and subsequent soybean yields over three years in the Brazilian Savannah. The treatments included: (1) maize monoculture; (2) maize intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis; (3) maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. Marandu; and (4) maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás. The evaluations included maize grain yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), forage biomass and soybean yield in succession. The results confirmed that maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. Marandu and U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás achieved grain yields comparable to monoculture. Demonstrating that these forage species do not significantly compete with maize in 2018 and 2019 in Montividiu and 2018 and 2020 in Rio Verde. In Montividiu, intercropping with U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás resulted in an average LER of 1.13 over three years, highlighting its advantage in optimising land use. In addition, the intercropping system was particularly beneficial in sandy soils, where faster biomass decomposition accelerated improvements in soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient availability, leading to earlier benefits in soybeans grain yield compared to clay soils. These findings emphasise the potential of maize-forage intercropping to enhance land-use efficiency and soil health while maintaining crop yields in tropical agroecosystems. However, site-specific management is essential to maximise benefits and minimise trade-offs. Future research should focus on long-term soil health dynamics and refining intercropping strategies to improve sustainability in different environmental conditions.

Ano de publicação: 2025

Tipo de publicação: Artigo de periódico

Unidade: Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura

Palavras-chave: Capim Urochloa, Consorciação de Cultura, Milho, Pastagem Consorciada, Soja, Solo