Maize yield in an integrated crop-livestock-forestry system in south Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

Cerrado biome is responsible for part of Brazilian food production. However, due to inadequate soil management practices, large areas of crop and forage are degraded, leading to environmental and economic losses. A crop-livestock-forest system (CLFS) is a sustainable production strategy that integrates different cultivations. This objective of this study was to evaluate agronomic characteristics and maize (Zea mayz L.) yield when consorciated with Panicum maximum cv. Tamani, cultivated between rows of eucalypts clones. The statistical design used was randomized blocks, constituted by the following treatments: Maize + AEC 043; Maize + AEC 007; Maize + AEC 2111; and Maize + AEC 2034. The analyzed variables included: spikes length, number of rows, number of grains per row, number of grains per spike, and grain yield. Based on the obtained data, it is possible to conclude that trees did not affect maize yield in a CLFS. Considering that only 60% of the area was used for agriculture, maize yield was higher than when it is planted in total area.