Yield and Economic Analysis of Corn and Brachiaria Intercropping in the Northwestern Paraná

Abstract

The maize and Urochloa ruziziensis intercropping have potential use for agricultural production systems, allowing the production of grains and biomass. The study aims to evaluate the yield and economic viability of corn and U. ruziziensis intercropping modalities in the northwestern region of Paraná. The experiment was conducted in Maringá-PR in a completely randomized design with five treatments (single corn; single U. ruziziensis; U. ruziziensis between the corn rows; corn with U. ruziziensis in the same row; corn rows interspersed with U. ruziziensis rows) and four replicates. Initial development, grain yield of corn, and the production of biomass of corn and U. ruziziensis were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. In the initial development of corn plants, there was no significant difference due to intercropping. U. ruziziensis in the intercropped system had a reduction in biomass production. Intercropping with corn rows interspersed with U. ruziziensis rows had grain yield higher than other intercropping modalities and similar to single corn cultivation