Corn and bean cultivars in monoculture and intercropping systems. II. Yield trials

Abstract

The performance of three corn cultivars, with different sizes and cycles, and six bean cultivars, in monoculture and intercropping systems was evaluated in the semi-arid region of Sergipe State, Brazil. In the monoculture, a randomized block design was used, with eight repetitions for corn and five for beans. In the intercropping system, corn and bean cultivars were associated in a 3 x 6 factorial design, distributed in randomized blocks with three repetitions. Corn and bean cultivars had a different performance in the two systems of cultivation. There were no significant differences of the corn cultivars on the yield of the bean cultivars and vice-versa. The coefficient of correlation between the monoculture and intercropping systems, obtained from corn and bean average productivities, was high, showing that the relative performance of the cultivars was similar in both cultivation systems. For the beans, the intercropping disclosed small advantages only for the Bagajó and ESAL 505 cultivars, in relation to the monoculture. For the corn, the advantage of intercropping was evident. Considering both plants, the utilization of intercropping was beneficial in all combinations.