Abstract
Cultivating a biodiverse ecosystem through the intercropping of corn and beans in an agroforestry system (AS) can be a strategy for sustainable and weather-resilient production. However, the reduction in solar radiation availability may pose a challenge to the success of this agricultural practice. The objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of solar radiation transmittance in an AS on the growth and production of corn and beans in both sole-crop and intercropped conditions. We conducted experiments using a randomized complete block design in a three-factorial arrangement (2 × 6 × 2) for corn and a two-factorial arrangement (2 × 5) for beans. The treatments included different cultivation environments (AS and full sun), corn cultivars (BRS 015FB, BRS 019TL), and plant arrangements. The plant arrangements involved both corn and bean cultivars (BRS Paisano) in monoculture and intercropped configurations with one and two rows of each species interspersed (1:1; 2:2). We assessed plant growth, yield, and biological efficiency indices for the crops. The results indicate that AS, with its reduced solar radiation, promotes greater plant height and leaf area in both corn and bean plants but results in lower productivity compared to full sun. Among the corn cultivars, BRS 019TL exhibited the highest productivity. However, in years with severe droughts, the use of intercropping with BRS 015FB shows greater land use efficiency within the AS. Furthermore, corn can be successfully intercropped with beans without a loss in production, while beans are best cultivated as a monoculture.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Action (2014) Portal Action. Action. http://www.portalaction.com.br. Accessed 10 June 2023.
Adetiloye PO, Ezedima FOC, Okigbo BN (1983) A land equivalent coefficient(LEC) concept for the evaluation of competitive and productive interactions in simpleto complex crop mixtures. Ecol Model 19:27–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3800(83)90068-6
Allen RG, Pereira LS, Raes D, Smith M (2006) Evapotranspiración del cultivo Guías para la determinación de los requerimientos de agua de los cultivos. Fao, Rome
Assefa D, Wolka K (2023) Transforming food insecure farmers from climate variability and land degradation susceptibility to resilient livelihoods. Res Global 7:100168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2023.100168
Bergamaschi H, Bergonci JI (2017) As plantas e o clima: princípios e aplicações. Agrolivros, Guaíba.
Burgess A, Cano MEC, Parkes B (2022) The deployment of intercropping and agroforestry as adaptation to climate change. Crop Environ 1:145–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crope.2022.05.001
Coelho DS, Marques MAD, Silva JAB, Garrido MS, Carvalho PGS (2014) Respostas fisiológicas em variedades de feijão caupi submetidas a diferentes níveis de sombreamento. Revista Brasileira De Biociências 12:14–19
Conab (2023) 6° levantamento - safra 2022/23 – Brasília. Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento. http://www.conab.gov.br. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Costa ASV, Silva MB (2008) Sistemas de consórcio milho feijão para a região doVale do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais. Ciên Agrotec 32:663–667. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-70542008000200050
Cqfs-RS SC (2016) Manual de adubação e de calagem para os estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina. Sbcs/Nrs, Porto Alegre
Duan ZP, Gan YW, Wang BJ, Hao XD, Xu WL, Zhang W, Li LH (2017) Interspecific interaction alters root morphology in young walnut/wheat agroforestry systems in northwest China. Agroforest Syst 93:419–434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-017-0133-2
Elli EF, Caron BO, Eloy E, Schwerz F (2016) Productive, morphological and qualitative characteristics of sugarcane in the understory tree species in agroforestry systems. Afr J Agric Res 11:1576–1584. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajar2015.10579
Embrapa, (2018) Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos. Embrapa, Brasília
Fan X, Chen S, Wu W, Song M, Sun G, Yao S, Zhan W, Yan L, Li H, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhang K, Jiang L, Yang J, Yang Q (2023) Maize cryptochromes 1a1 and 1a2 promote seedling photomorphogenesis and shade resistance in Zea mays and Arabidopsis. The Crop Journal 11:1192–1203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2023.03.011
Fernandez FC, Gepts P, Lopez G (1986) Etapas de desarrollo de la planta de frijol común. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Colômbia
Ferreira EB, Cavalcanti PP, Nogueira DA (2021). _ExpDes.pt: Pacote Experimental Designs. R package version 1.2.2. https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=ExpDes.pt. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Guan D, Al-Kaisi M, Zhang Y, Duan L, Tan W, Zhang M, Li Z (2014) Tillage practices affect biomass and grain yield through regulating root growth, root-bleeding sap and nutrients uptake in summer maize. Field Crop Res 157:89–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.12.015
Habte A, Kassa M, Sisay A (2016) Maize (Zea mays L.) - common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping response to population density of component crop in wolaita zone Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Natural Sciences Research 6:69–74
Hallal MOC, Schöffel ER, Brixner GF, Radünz AL (2014) Ajuste de uma equação de estimativa da evapotranspiração de referência para Pelotas – RS. Revista Brasileira De Recursos Hídricos 19:147–156
Ibge (2017) Censo agro 2017. Ibge. https://censoagro2017.ibge.gov.br/. Accessed 30 June 2023.
Javanmard A, Machiani MA, Lithougidis A, Morshedloo MR, Ostadi A (2020) Intercropping of maize with legumes: a cleaner strategy for improving the quantity and quality of forage. Cleaner Eng Technol 1:100003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2020.100003
Kermah M, Franke AC, Ahiabor BDK, Adjei-Nsiah S, Abaidoo RC, Giller KE (2018) Legume–maize rotation or relay? options for ecological intensification of smallholder farms in the Guinea Savanna of northern Ghana. Exper Agric 55:673–691. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479718000273
Lacerda CF, Carvalho CM, Vieira MR, Nobre JGA, Neves ALR, Rodrigues CF (2010) Análise de crescimento de milho e feijão sob diferentes condições de sombreamento. Revista Brasileira De Ciências Agrárias 5:18–24. https://doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v5i1a485
Langner JA, Lago I, Reiniger LRS, Petry MT, Streck NA, Durigon A, Pohlmann V, Freitas CPO, Slim T, Silva SD (2022) Water-deficit tolerance of landrace and improved corn genotypes. Pesq Agropec Bras 56:02627. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2021.v56.02627
Liu X, Rahman T, Song C, Su B, Yang F, Yong T, Wu Y, Zhang C, Yang W (2017) Changes in light environment, morphology, growth and yield of soybean in maize-soybean intercropping systems. Field Crops Res 200:38–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2016.10.003
Mahallati MN, Koocheki A, Mondani F, Feizi H, Amirmoradi S (2015) Determination of optimal strip width in strip intercropping of maize (Zea mays L) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in Northeast Iran. J Clean Prod 106:343–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.099
Manfron PA, Bacchi OOS, Neto DD, Pereira AR, Medeiros SLP, Pilau FG (2003) Modelo da profundidade efetiva do sistema radicular na cultura de milho em função de graus-dia acumulados. Revista Brasileira De Agrometeorologia 11:327–332
Martins JCR, Menezes RSC, Sampaio EVSB, Santos AF, Nagai MA (2013) Produtividade de biomassa em sistemas agroflorestais e tradicionais no Cariri Paraibano. Rev Bras Eng Agrí Ambient 17:581–587. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662013000600002
Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai, P, Pörtner HO, Roberts D, Skea J, Shukla PR, Pirani A, Moufouma-Okia W, Péan C, Pidcock R, Connors S, Matthews JBR, Chen Y, Zhou X, Gomis MI, Lonnoy E, Maycock T, Tignor M, Waterfield T (2018) Global warming of 1,5°C. IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/SR15_Full_Report_LR.pdf. Accessed 21 June 2023.
Mead R, Willey RW (1980) The concept of a ‘land equivalent ratio’ and advantages in yields from intercropping. Exper Agric 16:217–228. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700010978
Mendes MMS, Lacerda CF, Cavalcante ACR, Fernandes FEP, Oliveira TS (2013) Desenvolvimento do milho sob influência de árvores de pau-branco em sistema agrossilvipastoril. Pesq Agropec Bras 48:1342–1350. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013001000005
Montgomery EG (1911) Correlation studies in corn. Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report 24:108–159
Nassary EK, Baijukya F, Ndakidemi PA (2020) Productivity of intercroppingwith maize and common bean over five cropping seasons on smallholder farms ofTanzania. Eur J Agron 113:125964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2019.125964
Péres-Marin AM, Menezes SC, Salcedo IH (2007) Produtividade de milho solteiro ou em aléias de gliricídia adubado com duas fontes orgânicas. Pesq Agropec Bras 42:669–677. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2007000500009
Pezzopane JRM, Bernardi ACC, Bosi C, Oliveira P, MarconatoMH PA, Esteves SN (2019) Forage productivity and nutritive value duringpasture renovation in integrated systems. Agroforest Syst 93:39–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-017-0149-7
Pinto CM, Sizenando Filho FA, Cysne JRB, Pitombeira JB (2011) Produtividade e índices competição da mamona consorciada com gergelim, algodão, milho e feijão caupi. Rev Verde 6:75–85
Pohlmann V, Lopes SJ, Lago I, Martins JTS, Rosa CA, Caye M, Portalanza D (2021) Estimation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaf area by a nondestructive method. Semina Ciências Agrárias 42:2163–2180. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n4p2163
Pohlmann V, Lazzari M, Knies AE, Fernandes DM, Ludwig F (2022) Foliar silicon in tolerance to water deficit in beans. Ciênc Agríc 20:25–32. https://doi.org/10.18188/sap.v20i1.26076
R Core Team (2020) The R Project for Statistical Computing. R. https://www.r-project.org/. Accessed 12 June 2023.
Ramos-Fuentes IA, Elamri Y, Cheviron B, Dejean C, Belaud G, Fumey D (2023) Effects of shade and deficit irrigation on maize growth and development in fixed and dynamic AgriVoltaic systems. Agric Water Manag 280:108187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108187
Ritchie SW, Hanway JJ, Benson GO (1993) How a corn plant develops. Special Bulletin, Iowa
Sabino G, Costa L, Andrade T, Teixeira J, Araújo G, Acosta AL, Carvalheiro K, Giannini TC (2022) Status and trends of pollination services in Amazon agroforestry systems. Agr Ecosyst Environ 335:108012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2022.108012
Schiedeck G, Eicholz ED, Machado JA, Eicholz MD, Rediss WB (2021) Respostas Produtivas de Genótipos de Milho Cultivados sob Práticas de Manejo de Base Ecológica. Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas
Schmidt D, Caron BO, Pilau J, Nardino M, Elli EF (2017) Morfoanatomia foliar de azevém no sub-bosque de espécies arbóreas em sistemas agroflorestais. Rev Ceres 64:368–375. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-737X201764040005
Sgarbossa J, Elli EF, Schwerz F, Nardini C, Knapp FM, Schmidt D, Dal’Col LA, Caron BO (2020) Bean–soybean succession under full sun and in agroforestry systems: impacts on radiation use efficiency, growth and yield. J Agron Crop Sci 207:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12450
Silva S, Sousa ACP, Silva CS, Araújo ER, Soares MAS, Teodoro I (2021) Parâmetros produtivos do milho sob déficit hídrico em diferentes fases fenológicas no semiárido brasileiro. Irriga 1:30–41. https://doi.org/10.15809/irriga.2021v1n1p30-41
Taiz L, Zeiger E (2013) Fisiologia vegetal. Artmed, Porto Alegre
Thakur P, Thakur CL, Prabhakar M, Bhardwaj DR (2019) Performance of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. shreya) under peach-based agroforestry system. Indian J of Agroforestry 21:69–75
Thornthwaite CW, Mather J (1955) The water balance. Drexel Inst Of Technology, New Jersey
Tiibolla LB, Schwerz F, Sgarbossa J, Elli EF, Nardini C, Medeiros SLP, Schmidt D, Caron BO (2019) Effect of artificial shading on soybean growth and yield. Rev Bras Ciênc Agrár 14:6876. https://doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i4a6876
Willockx B, Reherb T, Lavaert C, Herteleer B, Poel BV, Cappelle J (2024) Design and evaluation of an agrivoltaic system for a pear orchard. Appl Energy 353:122166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122166
Yang T, Ma C, Lu W, Wan S, Li L, Zhang W (2021) Microclimate, crop quality, productivity, and revenue in two types of agroforestry systems in drylands of Xinjiang, northwest China. Eur J Agron 124:126245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2021.126245
Yimer T, Abera G, Beyene S, Rasche F (2022) Optimizing maize–bean cropping systems for sustainable intensification in southern Ethiopia. Agron J 114:3283–3296. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21143
Zhang W, Wang BJ, Gan YM, Duan ZP, Hao XD, Xu WL, Li LH (2019) Competitive interaction in jujube tree/cotton agroforestry system in Xinjiang province, northwestern China. Agroforest Syst 93:591–605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-017-0153-y
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
VP, ERS, EDE, and ESGG wrote the main text of the manuscript. VP, GRS, EVF, and ARM collected data and conducted the experiments. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Pohlmann, V., Schöffel, E.R., Eicholz, E.D. et al. Corn and bean growth and production in agroforestry systems. Agroforest Syst (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-024-00959-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-024-00959-y