Palisadegrass effects on N fertilizer dynamic in intercropping systems with corn

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2017 Jul-Sep;89(3):1917-1923. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160811. Epub 2017 Aug 17.

Abstract

Corn grain yield, nitrogen (N) fertilizer efficiency and distribution to corn alone and three forms of corn and palisadegrass (Urochloa spp.) intercropping implantation was investigated. A field experiment with 15N labeling fertilizer was performed in randomized block design. No form of palisadegrass intercropping implantation affected corn grain yield, total N accumulation and N use efficiency (NUE), which were 8.7 t ha-1, 205 kg ha-1 and 37% respectively. The palisadegrass produced on average 1.9 t of dry mass, absorbing a maximum of 6 kg ha-1 or 5.5% of N fertilizer during corn growing. Furthermore, the palisadegrass did not affect N fertilizer distribution in soil-plant system, in which 28.2% was recovered in the soil and 40.4% in the plants (corn + palisadegrass). The results show that for the three intercropping implantation methods the palisadegrass did not compete with corn for N fertilizer.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Crops, Agricultural / growth & development*
  • Fertilizers*
  • Random Allocation
  • Seasons
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Zea mays / growth & development*

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Soil