Soybean-corn succession according to seeding date

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the grain yield of soybean and corn cultivars cropped in succession, in different sowing dates. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, during three growing seasons, in the sowing dates: 9/15, 10/1, 10/15, and 11/1 for soybean; and 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, and 3/15 for corn. Although soybean yields are strongly affected by the crop season, sowing between late September and early October results in higher long-term yields. Planting corn in succession in mid-February provides the highest grain yield in the southern region of the state Mato Grosso do Sul; therefore, there is no need for an early soybean sowing in September, in order to ensure corn planting in January. Soybean-corn succession in which soybean is sown in early October and corn in mid-February results in higher total grain yields and reduces the climatic risk associated with these crops in the region.