Physiologic characteristics of corn and Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster in intercropping cultivation

Abstract

Competition between weeds and crops results in a lower availability of some resources to crop species, which causes deficiencies, such as water and nutritional deficiencies and low light quality or quantity. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster, cv. Xaraes (brachiaria) emergence times comparing with corn (Zea mays L.), in addition to the fertilization and application of different nicosulfuron and atrazine herbicides levels, on the physiological characteristics of intercropped species. The physiological characteristics Brachiaria plants that were treated with herbicides were negatively affected. The emergence time of Brachiaria plants in comparison with corn altered the physiological characteristics of both. The Brachiaria plants that emerged before corn presented higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates and reduced the intensity of these characteristics in corn. Thus, the Brachiaria plants that emerged before the corn crop presented a higher physiological efficiency, and they were more competitive than the weeds that emerged during other seasons.