Maize cropping systems and response of common bean in succession subjected to nitrogen fertilization1

Abstract

The common bean succession to intercropped crops in the no-tillage system is beneficial, especially in the search for sustainability. In addition to the straw production, the intercropping can supply nitrogen (N) to the common bean grown in succession, reducing the use of mineral fertilizer, which is pollutant and has a high cost. The present study aimed to evaluate the response to N fertilization of common bean in succession to maize cropping systems, as well as the viability of these systems in the no-tillage system. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a split-plot arrangement, with four replicates. The plots consisted of the following systems: maize as a single crop, maize intercropped with brachiaria and maize intercropped with crotalaria. The subplots were five N doses (0 kg ha-1, 50 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha-1, 150 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1), applied as topdressing fertilization in winter common bean, in succession to the maize cropping systems. For the maize cultivation systems, the grain yield and N amount and accumulation in the straw were evaluated. As for the common bean in succession, the grain yield and grain quality attributes were assessed. Although the three cropping systems were viable for maize grain yield, the intercropping of maize with crotalaria led to a higher N accumulation in the straw and a larger quantity of straw dry mass. The increase of the N doses promoted an increase in the grain yield of common bean grown in succession to intercropped maize. Maize intercropped with crotalaria resulted in grains with a higher size and, concerning the grain yield, an equivalent effect to that of a topdressing application of more than 200 kg ha-1 of N was observed for the common bean in succession.

Upland rice intercropped with green manures and its impact on the succession with common bean

“…These plants accumulate more N in the aerial part than stylo, forage peanut and calopo (Mendonça et al, 2017), making this nutrient available to the common bean cultivated in succession. N is the most exported nutrient by common bean, being a constituent of proteins and molecules such as chlorophyll, besides being related to the increase in photosynthetic rate, leaf growth, development of vegetative and reproductive organs and biomass production (Taiz et al, 2017).…”

Crop succession and split-application of nitrogen effects on common bean yield in short no-tillage system

“…In general, it was observed that the cropping successions with maize and U. ruziziensis did not interfere in the agronomic performance and seed yield of common bean cultivated in succession. Evaluating the effect of common bean in succession to maize, maize + U. ruziziensis and maize + Crotalaria, Souza et al (2019) observed that the common bean yields were similar in succession after maize in sole crop and maize + U. ruziziensis and superior in succession to maize + Crotalaria. This same result was observed in the present study, in which the seed yields of common bean were similar between the grass cropping successions.…”

“…Unlike the results obtained by Souza et al . (2019), the common bean successions evaluated in the present study were conducted after cropping successions only of grasses in sole crop and intercropped. As grasses have a higher C/N ratio than legume crops, such as Crotalaria, the degradation of straw from these plants is slower and promotes temporary immobilization of soil N, even if the straw is not incorporated (Liu et al ., 2017; Williams et al ., 2018).…”

“…Due to the favourable conditions for the degradation of crop residues in tropical regions, such as high temperature and rainfall, systems with crops succession that present high straw production should be prioritized (Crusciol et al ., 2015; Souza et al ., 2019). This is necessary for the establishment and maintenance of an NTS with quality, as one of the principles of this system is to remain with soil cover throughout the year.…”

“…Common bean has been cultivated with high yield and economic profitability in succession to grasses in the NTS, especially after maize and Urochloa spp. (Flôres et al ., 2017; Souza et al ., 2019). Common bean is a crop of high global importance, being cultivated in more than 100 countries with a total production of more than 30 million tons a year (FAO, 2020).…”