Mixtures of Phosphorus Sources of Different Solubilities and the Efficiency of Use by Corn in Intercropping With Cover Crops

Abstract

Tropical soils have chemical characteristics that promote a fixation of the P element, making the phosphate fertilizers in these soils have low efficiency. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of phosphate fertilization in the corn crop in different crop systems, different sources of P and mixture between these sources. It was adopted a completely randomized design with subdivided plots. The plots were formed by three treatments (system cultivation of corn): single corn, corn intercropped with Crotalaria juncea, and corn intercropped pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). The subplots formed by five treatments, created by two P sources and three mixtures between them. The consortium with pigeon pea and crotalaria species reduced productivity regardless of the source or mix of sources used. In consortium cultivation, greater use is made of the applied fertilizer, which means that consortium cultivation can be a tool for improving levels of P use in Brazilian agriculture.