Agronomic characteristics and yield of organic maize straw intercropped with perennial green manures

Abstract

Maize intercropped with perennial green manure is an option to promote soil coverage, control weeds and recycle soil nutrients, in an organic system. This study aimed at evaluating the agronomic characteristics and yield of grains and organic maize straw intercropped with perennial green manures sown at different maize growth stages. A 3 x 2 + 1 factorial design was used, with three perennial species of green manure - calopogonium (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.), tropical kudzu [Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth] and perennial soy [Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn) Lackey] - and two green manure sowing times - at the maize V4 (four expanded leaves) and VT (bolting) stages - plus a control treatment (maize monoculture). A randomized blocks design, with four replications, was used. Soil coverage, production of green manures dry matter and weeds, and maize growth and production variables were evaluated. The sowing of green manures at the V4 stage had a higher percentage of soil coverage, in relation to the VT stage. Calopogonium, when compared to the other green manure species, had the highest percentage of soil coverage (35.63 %) and dry matter (1.0 Mg ha-1). Perennial green manures grown intercropped with maize did not affect growth, grain yield and maize straw. However, they were not effective in suppressing weeds.

Macronutrient content and accumulations in different arrangements of dwarf pigeon pea intercropped with corn

“…This occurrence can be confirmed by the higher N content observed in maize leaves (Table 2) and higher DOP index for N (Table 3) in the PR2B system. In addition, the larger population of green manure may have contributed to the maintenance of soil moisture and greater organic matter addition in the system, improving soil nutrient cycling (Arantes et al, 2016), resulting in increased corn grain yield.…”

Impact of different types of green manure on pests and disease incidence and severity as well as growth and yield parameters of maize

“…The application of organic manure increased maize growth and yield parameters, including the number of days to tasseling. Results obtained by Arantes et al [ 52 ] demonstrate that Calopogonium , when intercropped with maize and sown at the fourth expanded maize leaf stage, produces the highest amounts of dry matter and soil coverage as well as higher final plant stand than maize monoculture. They further stated that the plots of Calopogonium , tropical kudzu ( Panicum ), and perennial soy intercropped with maize do not affect the maize grain yield in the organic system; this may be due to the slow decomposition and release of the Panicum incorporated.…”

Role of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Fertility Improvement and Selected Crop Production in Ethiopia: Review Study

“…The use of organic manure, including farmyard manure, green manure, composted poultry manure, biochar, Sulage silage, and other organic waste, has been recognized by many researchers as having positive effects on soil health, crop productivity, and the environment [8,44,31]. Farmyard manure, which is made from bovine dung, urine, and bedding material, increased soil biological activity and controlled the process by which components necessary for plant growth were transformed [52].…”

“…Due to their status as plants that improve soil, green manures are a practical and sustainable option [8]. The green manure crop is a legume produced for biological N fixation to provide N to succeeding crops and organic matter for soil property improvement [50].…”