MAIZE AND FORAGE GRASS CULTIVARS UNDER MONOCROPPING AND INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of maize and forage grass (Brachiaria brizantha and Panicum maximum) cultivars under monocropping and intercropping systems. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete blocks, in a 3x4 + 7 factorial design, with four replications. The first factor consisted of three maize cultivars (AL Bandeirantes, an open pollination variety; AG 2040, a double cross; and Pioneer 30F87, a triple cross) and the second one included four forage cultivars (Marandu and Xaraés, from B. brizantha, and Tanzânia and Mombaça, from P. maximum). The seven additional treatments consisted of the respective tested cultivars monocroppings. Maize and forage grasses were sown simultaneously, the first in rows, spaced 1.0 m apart, and the second by throwing. Hybrid Pioneer 30F87 maize yields were the highest ones, for both monocropping and intercropping systems, and maize affected dry weight gain of forages, when compared to the monocropping system. For intercropping, P. maximum forage cultivars were the most productive ones, while, for monocropping, the Mombaça cultivar presented the highest dry matter production level.

KEY-WORDS: Zea mays; Brachiaria brizantha; Panicum maximum; agriculture and livestock integration; pasture.