Nitrogen fertilisation improves the grain production efficiency and sustainability of out-of-season corn and Congo grass intercropping

Abstract

Intercropping is a method for straw production and maintenance during the dry season in no-tillage systems. Among the crops used for intercropping are corn and grasses. However, nitrogen can interfere with the production capacity of these plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the macronutrient accumulations and efficiency values of out-of-season corn and Congo grass intercropped under a no-tillage system as a function of the nitrogen fertilisation applied by side dressing. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with four replicates of four nitrogen application rates: 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha−1. The evaluations were carried out when the corn was physiologically mature. The phosphorus and potassium accumulation and nitrogen utilisation efficiency of the out-of-season corn did not respond to the nitrogen rates. The nitrogen recovery efficiency and the nitrogen to biomass conversion efficiency of the Congo grass also did not respond to nitrogen application rates. Nitrogen fertilisation as side dressing in the rows of the out-of-season corn and Congo grass intercropping improves the nutrient cycling in the no-tillage system. Side dressing fertilisation with nitrogen improves the agronomic efficiency and physiological efficiency of the out-of-season corn and Congo grass intercropping under a no-tillage system.