Impact of crop management and no-tillage system on grain and straw yield of maize crop

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate straw production provided by maize and Urochloa ruziziensis grown solely and intercropped, as well as the accumulation of nitrogen and its residual effect when applied as a topdressing fertilizer to the previous crop (common bean) under no-tillage. Experiments were conducted for two crop seasons in a randomized block design, in a split-plot scheme, with four repetitions. We evaluated three cropping systems containing maize and U. ruziziensis solely and intercropped (summer crop) in succession with irrigated common beans (winter–spring crop), managed with nitrogen topdressing combinations with 90 kg N ha−1 by urea. Cropping systems with maize and U. ruziziensis solely or intercropped promoted sufficient straw production under the no-tillage system. Urochloa ruziziensis solely or intercropped with maize achieved full soil surface coverage and higher straw yield (8.3 to 9.5 t ha−1) compared to sole maize (7.1 to 7.8 t ha−1), thus favoring the implementation and maintenance of the no-tillage system. The quality of straw produced in crop succession systems was improved by nitrogen fertilizer applied to the previous common bean crop, which changed their nutrient content and nitrogen accumulation.