Biomass of Crotalaria juncea as a function of plant densities in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

An increase in the production per area of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) biomass in order to expand its beneficial effects as green manure is an objective for the agronomic management of this species. Three experiments were performed during consecutive years to test the following plant densities per m-2: 10, 20, 30, and 40; 25, 35, 50, and 100; 25, 50, 75, and 100. For each density the spacing between the sowing rows and withinthe rows was equal. The experiments were conducted at Mossoro, RN, Brazil, with a randomized complete block design of four replicates. For each experiment, we determined the shoot dry mass and root dry mass per hectare and the ratio between the values per hectare of shoot dry mass and seed rate. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and regression analysis. The increasing linear behavior of shoot and root biomass of sunn hemp as a function of plant density establishes a recommendation of 100 plants m-2 with equal spacing in the sowing row and between rows. However, the amount of dry mass produced by each kg of seeds decreased to the density of 90 plants m-2. The amount of biomass produced was limited by the length of the vegetative phase of sunn hemp during day length conditions at Mossoro.

Effects of intercropping sunn hemp into maize at different times and densities on productivity under rainwater harvesting technique

“…Information on how sunn hemp plant density influences its growth and biomass is vital for optimizing living mulch benefits (de Oliveira Miranda et al, 2020). In this study, the evaluation of sunn hemp at three plant densities showed that D2 (32.1 plants m −2 ) and D3 (48.1 plants m −2 ) resulted in the highest biomass accumulation when compared to D1 (16.1 plants m −2 ) (Figures 4C,D).…”

“…Figures 2A,B showed that the mean temperatures dropped in both growing seasons when the P3 living mulches were planted. Sunn hemp development and biomass production is influenced by the interaction of photoperiod and temperature, as well as planting period (de Oliveira Miranda et al, 2020;Subrahmaniyan et al, 2021). Dropping temperatures observed at late planting in the growing season and the association with shortening day lengths could have been the main causes of a decrease in biomass production in P3.…”

“…In this study, the evaluation of sunn hemp at three plant densities showed that D2 (32.1 plants m −2 ) and D3 (48.1 plants m −2 ) resulted in the highest biomass accumulation when compared to D1 (16.1 plants m −2 ) (Figures 4C,D). Sunn hemp biomass production is plant density responsive, meaning that it increases when planted at higher plant densities relative to low plant densities (de Oliveira Miranda et al, 2020). This study found that biomass attained with P1 (simultaneous planting sunn hemp with maize) and P2 (planting at the V15 maize growth stage) at D2 (32.1 plants m −2 ) and D3 (48.1 plants m −2 ) were higher than those in D1 (16.1 plants m −2 ).…”

“…Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is native to India and grown for fiber, forage, and cover crop (Balkcom and Reeves, 2005;Mosjidis and Wehtje, 2011;Parenti et al, 2021). Sunn hemp is a drought-tolerant legume crop, requiring low rainfall (≈200 mm) to grow successfully (de Oliveira Miranda et al, 2020;Subrahmaniyan et al, 2021). The crop grows well in welldrained alluvial soils with sandy loam or loamy texture (Baligar and Fageria, 2007;Ashworth et al, 2015).…”

Crotolaria juncea L., A NEW LEGUME CROP FOR CULTIVATION IN RUSSIA: CHARACTERIZATION AND PROSPECTS (review)

“…Междурядья необходимы не более 10-20 см. Рекомендовано выращивание до 48-100 растений на 1 м 2 (33,34). При производстве бумаги, где требуется тонкое волокна, расстояние между рядами можно увеличить до 30-36 см (21).…”