Maize relay intercropping with fodder crops for small-scale farmers in central Brazil

Abstract

Relay intercropping of maize with fodder crops is a promising option for sustainable intensification of dairy small-scale farms in the Cerrado of Brazil. Twenty-six intercropping trials were conducted on farmers’ fields with the following experimental treatments: sole maize crop cropping (MS), maize-Brachiaria intercropping (MB) and maize-pigeon pea intercropping (MP). The trials were managed by the farmers, i.e. choice of conventional tillage (CT) versus no-tillage (NT), sowing dates, fertilization and weed control. Maize grain yield varied strongly across the farmer fields, from 100 to 5900 kg ha−1 in the MS treatment, 500 to 6900 kg ha−1 in MP and 300 to 5500 kg ha−1 in MB. Intercropping did not significantly affect maize grain yields under NT, but yields were reduced under CT in one out of two seasons. Maize yields in the intercropped systems were also higher under NT than CT. Total biomass productivity was significantly higher in the maize-fodder than in the sole maize system. An increased interval between sowing of maize and fodder crop significantly reduced the fodder crop biomass. Relay intercropping, especially in combination with NT, is a promising option if crop calendars and fertilization are properly managed by farmers to reduce interspecific competition between the maize and fodder crop.

The effect of strip orientation and width on radiation interception in maize–soybean strip intercropping systems

“…Five main maize production areas with different latitudes were selected to investigate the effect of latitude on crop PAR distribution in the maize-soybean intercropping systems with different strip orientation and width. Latitude S16° represents the region in Brazil (Baldé et al, 2020). Latitude N30° represents the region in north India (Susha et al, 2018) and west south of China.…”

Treated Livestock Wastewater Irrigation Is Safe for Maize (Zea mays) and Soybean (Glycine max) Intercropping System Considering Heavy Metals Migration in Soil–Plant System

“…Therefore, alternatives need to be found to face these challenges related to water scarcity, soil pollution, lack of cultivable lands, and decrease in crop production. The intercropping system, an efficient system for environmental resources utilization, is a famous and widely used concept which permits farmers to make full use of the available cultivable land and increase their production [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Intercropping is adopted in many parts of the world, has been a common cropping strategy in China for centuries, and can be considered as a way towards sustainability [ 24 ].…”

Intercropping maize with brachiaria can be a double‐edged sword strategy

“…attract) adults of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda , a new pest of maize in East Africa 12 . By contrast, despite potential problems with S. frugiperda , Brazilian farmers often row‐intercrop maize with brachiaria with the intent of forming a grass pasture for livestock feeding after the maize harvest 13,14 . Some of the main known advantages of this intercropping system include better nutrient cycling and usage, improved soil protection, increased aggregated value, and more carbon addition and retention in the soil 14–17 .…”

“…12 By contrast, despite potential problems with S. frugiperda, Brazilian farmers often row-intercrop maize with brachiaria with the intent of forming a grass pasture for livestock feeding after the maize harvest. 13,14 Some of the main known advantages of this intercropping system include better nutrient cycling and usage, improved soil protection, increased aggregated value, and more carbon addition and retention in the soil. [14][15][16][17] Nevertheless, the use of brachiaria as an intercrop option has not engendered any increase in maize yield compared to monocultures.…”