Levels of nutrients and grain yield of maize intercropped with signalgrass (Brachiaria) in different arrangements of plants

Competition between maize and signalgrass can economically cripple the intercropping by the reduced yield of maize and dry matter content of the forage. In seeking to define plant arrangements which make this system more efficient, this research was held with the objective of assessing the effects of interference of densities of signalgrass (Urochloa Brizantha) on nutrition and on maize grain yield. Two field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments were arranged similarly in both experiments, in a 2 x 4 factorial design, the first factor being the dose of Nicosulfuron herbicide applied (0 and 8 g ha-1) and the second factor being the forage seeding rates (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg of seeds per hectare). The interference of signalgrass reduced foliar nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in maize plants intercropped with the forage. Higher values of grain yield were observed with the reduction of the spacing and the application of the recommended herbicide underdose (8 g ha-1). It was concluded that, regardless of the seeding density of U. Brizantha, reducing the maize seeding inter-rows spacing, combined with the application of an underdose of Nicosulfuron, caused a positive effect by reducing the initial forage growth, resulting in less interference of Urochloa brizantha on nutrient uptake by the maize plants and grain yield of the crop. A competição entre o milho e a braquiaria pode inviabilizar economicamente o consórcio devido à redução na produção de grãos do milho e de matéria seca da forrageira. Na busca por definir arranjos de plantas que permitam tornar esse sistema mais eficiente, realizou-se esta pesquisa com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da interferência de densidades de braquiária (Urochloa brizantha) na nutrição e produção de grãos do milho. Foram realizados dois experimentos de campo, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados de modo semelhante nos dois experimentos, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, sendo o primeiro fator a dose aplicada do herbicida Nicosulfuron (0 e 8 g ha-1)e o segundo as densidades de semeadura da forrageira (0, 2, 4 e 6 kg de sementes por hectare). A interferência da braquiária reduziu os teores foliares de nitrogênio, potássio e fósforo nas plantas de milho consorciadas com a forrageira. Maiores valores de produção de grãos foram verificados com a redução do espaçamento e a aplicação da subdose recomendada do herbicida (8 g