TEMPERATURE AND SOIL MOISTURE IN MAIZE CULTIVATE IN SINGLE AND INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS WITH AND WITHOUT IRRIGATION

Abstract

Intercropping aims at sustainable maximization of soil and water use, and has become an alternative for regions with relatively short rainy periods and high temperatures. The aim was to verify the dynamics and maintenance of soil moisture as a function of soil temperature oscillations in intercropped corn systems with and without irrigation. The experimental design was composed of twelve treatments: corn, brachiaria and crotalaria in monoculture, intercropping between corn and brachiaria, intercropping between corn and crotalaria, and uncovered soil, in two systems (six irrigated treatments and six without irrigation), with four replications. Soil temperature at depths of 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm and soil moisture in the 0–30 cm layer was evaluated. The production components of corn at the end of the cycle were evaluated. Corn intercropped with crotalaria or brachiaria provided a 17.4 and 17.6% reduction in average soil temperature, respectively. Intercropping reduced the temperature range of the soil compared to corn in monocrop. Soil moisture showed lower values at the development, intermediate, and final stages for the intercropped corn crops. Corn under irrigated intercropping showed no significant difference in yield compared with monocropping.