African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Maize intercropped between Eucalyptus urophylla in agroforestry systems in Brazil

Wander Luis Barbosa Borges
  • Wander Luis Barbosa Borges
  • Advanced Research Center of Rubber Tree and Agroforestry Systems, Agronomic Institute, P. O. Box 61 - 15505-970, Votuporanga, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Maria Fernanda Guerreiro
  • Maria Fernanda Guerreiro
  • Nelson Guerreiro Farm, P. O. Box 96 - 17380-000, Brotas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Luiz Fernando Braz da Silva Biga
  • Luiz Fernando Braz da Silva Biga
  • Nelson Guerreiro Farm, P. O. Box 96 - 17380-000, Brotas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Maria Luiza Franceschi Nicodemo
  • Maria Luiza Franceschi Nicodemo
  • Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Brazilian Agricultural Research Company, P. O. Box 339 -13560-970, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Carlos Eduardo Silva Santos
  • Carlos Eduardo Silva Santos
  • Embrapa Cerrados, Brazilian Agricultural Research Company, P. O. Box 08223 - 73310-970, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 28 September 2020
  •  Accepted: 03 December 2020
  •  Published: 28 February 2021

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of maize intercropping with Eucalyptus urophylla at agroforestry system in two triple row distance (alleys) at different sampling distances and positions in relation to the eucalyptus external row (transect), and three positions in relation to the cardinal points: east side, west side and middle. Eucalyptus (E. urophylla) seedlings were planted with spacing of 1.5 m between plants and 3.0 m between rows (triple rows) and two triple row distances: 16.5 and 37.1 m apart, with the spatial exposure of the rows towards north and south, ranging from 888 to 464 plants ha-1. It was observed that treatments differed in relation to the number of ears ha-1 and grain yield in both seasons. In addition, in relation to the final plant density ha-1, in the 2014/2015 season, the maize at 4.2 m distance from eucalyptus at 16.5 m triple row distance had lower number of ears ha-1 and grain yield, and maize at 8.2 m from eucalyptus at 37.1 m triple row distance had greater number of ears and grain yield. The cardinal positions (W/E) in relation to the eucalyptus did not influence the agronomic characteristics of the maize.

Key words: Cropping systems, integrated systems, Zea mays.