Sorghum–Grass Intercropping Systems under Varying Planting Densities in a Semi-Arid Region: Focusing on Soil Carbon and Grain Yield in the Conservation Systems

Risely Ferraz-Almeida (), Carlos Juliano Brant Albuquerque, Reginaldo Camargo, Ernane Miranda Lemes, Renato Soares de Faria and Regina Maria Quintão Lana
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Risely Ferraz-Almeida: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Avenida Pádua Dias, Num. 11, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Carlos Juliano Brant Albuquerque: Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Universitária, Num. 1000, Montes Claros 39404-547, MG, Brazil
Reginaldo Camargo: Instituto de Ciências Agrarias, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Road BR 050, km 78, Uberlândia 38400-000, MG, Brazil
Ernane Miranda Lemes: Instituto de Ciências Agrarias, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Road BR 050, km 78, Uberlândia 38400-000, MG, Brazil
Renato Soares de Faria: Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, Road MGT 122, km 155, Nova Porteirinha 39525-000, MG, Brazil
Regina Maria Quintão Lana: Instituto de Ciências Agrarias, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Road BR 050, km 78, Uberlândia 38400-000, MG, Brazil

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: A major challenge in sorghum intercropping systems is maintaining their yields compared to the yields of the solo crops, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that intercropping systems using sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) and Brachiaria sp. are viable means to increase sorghum production and soil carbon in the conservation systems. Field trials were conducted in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during two crop cycles of sorghum associated with different grasses ( Andropogon gayanus —AG; Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Aridus —CCA; Cenchrus ciliaris cv. 131—CC; Brachiaria decumbents —BD; Brachiaria brizantha —BB; Brachiaria ruziziensis —BR; Panicum maximum —PM), using row spacings of 0.4 and 0.8 m. Panicles of sorghum (yield) and grass dry matter were collected to determine yields. Results showed that the addition of grasses in systems decreased the grain yield in all systems, except in the systems using sorghum with CCA in 0.4 m, AG in 0.8 m, or BR in 0.8 m. In the 0.4 m row spacing, the sorghum associations with CC, BB, or PM are greater alternatives to increase soil carbon. However, when the row spacing was increased, the sole sorghum was the best alternative to increase the carbon. In machine learning, sorghum systems with CCA and AG are better alternatives to increase the yields, while sorghum with CC, PM, BR, and BB increases the grass dry matter in soil.

Keywords: Sorghum bicolor; Brachiaria sp.; organic matter; Andropogon gayanus; no-tillage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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