Production of Maize Silage is Possible in Integrated Systems with Arboreal Component

Abstract

Distribution of the intercropped plants determines the production but it is highly dependent on the machinery of the property. Producers, who harvest silage row by row, depend on plantings with greater spacing. This study was aimed to evaluate the maize intercropped for cultivated silage in 0.90 m between rows, with grass under the shade and full sunlight conditions. Maize with brachiaria grass was tested in four sowing densities (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg of pure and viable seeds per hectare). The factorial treatments (2x2x4) were distributed in a split-plot design with four repetitions. The maize agronomic characteristics and the silage quality were evaluated. There was a high level of competition when associated with maize, piatã and eucalyptus. Aggressive piatã grass growth, with Carnevalli et al.; JEAI, 39(6): 1-9, 2019; Article no.JEAI.50010 2 light restriction by trees, have affected strongly the maize forage mass-produced, and consequently, reduced silage production. Regarding grain yield, the intercrop with ruziziensis grass was superior (210%) to the intercrop with piatã grass. It was mainly influenced by the low yield in the piatã grass intercropped under shade conditions. This pattern was different for ruziziensis because it was a less aggressive grass in terms of growth. For plantations with 0.90 m of spacing, there was a light restriction. The maize intercropped under the shade of trees must be done with lower growth rate grass to reduce competition and maintain the yield. Original Research Article

Closing the Gap: Sustainable Intensification Implications of Increased Corn Yields and Quality for Second-Crop (safrinha) in Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…Our average corn GY was 252% more than those for a 2006 dry-season study, averaged across three municipalities in MS at only 2967 kg/ha [57]. Compared to past experiments in Mato Grosso (MT) state, our GY for corn hybrids were 24.4 to 68.7% higher compared to experimental results from studies at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) Agrossilvipastoril research unit in Sinop, MT [55,58,59], which is ~150 km north of our cooperating farm. The recent statewide 2020 average safrinha corn GY for MT, Brazil, was 6392 kg/hectare [13], 38.9% lower than the average corn GY for the hybrids we evaluated.…”