Productive characteristics and economic analysis of tropical forage grasses cultivated under different sowing methods in intercropping production systems

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate sowing methods of different tropical grasses in integrated production systems on morphogenic and structural characteristics, chemical composition, and corn yield. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with a 3 x 3 + 1 factorial arrangement, with three forages: andropogon grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth cv. Planaltina), massai grass (Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai) and ruziziensis grass (Urochloa ruziziensis), three ways of sowing intercropped with corn (one row, two rows and broadcast) with four replications and corn in monoculture. Soil preparation, corrective practices and monitoring were carried out as recommended by the species. The results revealed that the sowing methods did not interfere with the interaction for morphogenic and structural characteristics of the grasses. Leaf elongation rate (LER) did not differ among grasses and sowing forms for Andropogon, Massai, and Ruziziensis grasses. There was an interaction effect (P<0.05) for leaf production (LP); the massai grass exhibited higher production compared to other grasses. The spread sowing method produced less leaf availability for the massai grass. There was no effect (P>0.05) of interaction for the variables of the chemical composition of grasses. Maize production was not altered due to the different consortia; however, a much lower value was found when producing corn in monoculture. The average production of intercropped corn was 3420 kg and ha-1, against 1680 kg of single cultivated corn. Massai grass and Ruziziensis grass is an attractive alternative for intercropping with corn in integrated systems