Phytotechnical performance and resistance to leaf-footed bugs of green maize intercropped with Poaceae in the Amazon savannah

Abstract

ABSTRACT Green maize has great economic value, and the consumer market increasingly demands the production of ears for fresh consumption that are free from damage by pest attacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of varieties of AG1051 green maize and Roraima maize (ethnovariety Milhão) intercropped with dwarf grain sorghum, forage sorghum and millet in an environment of the Amazon savannah. We evaluated phytotechnical characteristics of the maize and damage from the leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus zonatus). The experiment was set up in a 2 x 4 factorial randomised block design with four replications, where the two maize varieties corresponded to the first factor and four intercropping systems to the second factor. Regarding vegetative and reproductive components, Milhão had a longer cycle, greater plant growth and smaller stem diameter than AG1051, causing plant lodging. The intercropping systems had no influence on the production or quality of maize ears for any of the cultivars under study. Milhão did not differ from the AG1051 hybrid in any ear quality variable (ear length, number of grains per ear, cob diameter, ear weight and total number of ears). The AG1051 cultivar was preferred by L. zonatus, but had the highest yield of commercial ears. The intercropping systems had no influence on the damage caused by the leaf-footed bug.