Sorghum grain yield,forage biomass production and revenue as affected by intercropping time |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Fisheries, Aquaculture and Agricultural Systems Research Center, Palmas, State of Tocantins, Brazil;2. São Paulo State University (UNESP), College of Agricultural Science, Department of Crop Science, Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil;3. EMBRAPA, Rice and Beans Research Center, Santo Antônio de Goiás, State of Goiás, Brazil;4. São Paulo Agency of Agribusiness Technology (APTA), Andradina, State of São Paulo, Brazil;5. UNESP, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Department of Animal Nutrition and Breeding, Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil;1. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, PO Box 9690, MS 39762, USA;2. Weyerhaeuser NR Company, P.O. Box 2288, Columbus, MS 39704, USA;3. U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, PO Box 9691, MS 39762, USA;1. The Rural Economy and Agricultural Society, HS Konsult AB, Box 271, SE-701 45 Örebro, Sweden;2. Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 234, SE-521 32 Skara, Sweden;1. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Viçosa, MG, Brazil;2. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Viçosa, MG, Brazil;3. Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, Sete lagoas, MG, Brazil;4. Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil;1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan;2. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan;3. College of Agriculture, Sub-Campus, Bur e Wala, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan;4. Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan;5. University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan;6. Agricultural Science Center, New Mexico State University, 6502 Quay Road AM.5, Tucumcari, NM, USA 88401 |
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| Abstract: | Sorghum is an excellent alternative to other grains in poor soil where corn does not develop very well, as well as in regions with warm and dry winters. Intercropping sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] with forage crops, such as palisade grass [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich) Stapf] or guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.), provides large amounts of biomass for use as straw in no-tillage systems or as pasture. However, it is important to determine the appropriate time at which these forage crops have to be sown into sorghum systems to avoid reductions in both sorghum and forage production and to maximize the revenue of the cropping system. This study, conducted for three growing seasons at Botucatu in the State of São Paulo in Brazil, evaluated how nutrient concentration, yield components, sorghum grain yield, revenue, and forage crop dry matter production were affected by the timing of forage intercropping. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. Intercropping systems were not found to cause reductions in the nutrient concentration in sorghum plants. The number of panicles per unit area of sorghum alone (133,600), intercropped sorghum and palisade grass (133,300) and intercropped sorghum and guinea grass (134,300) corresponded to sorghum grain yields of 5439, 5436 and 5566 kg ha−1, respectively. However, the number of panicles per unit area of intercropped sorghum and palisade grass (144,700) and intercropped sorghum and guinea grass (145,000) with topdressing of fertilizers for the sorghum resulted in the highest sorghum grain yields (6238 and 6127 kg ha−1 for intercropping with palisade grass and guinea grass, respectively). Forage production (8112, 10,972 and 13,193 Mg ha−1 for the first, second and third cuts, respectively) was highest when sorghum and guinea grass were intercropped. The timing of intercropping is an important factor in sorghum grain yield and forage production. Palisade grass or guinea grass must be intercropped with sorghum with topdressing fertilization to achieve the highest sorghum grain yield, but this significantly reduces the forage production. Intercropping sorghum with guinea grass sown simultaneously yielded the highest revenue per ha (€ 1074.4), which was 2.4 times greater than the revenue achieved by sowing sorghum only. |
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| Keywords: | Palisade grass Guinea grass Crop–livestock integration |
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