Cropping systems for maize and beans in micro-watersheds under rainfed conditions

Abstract

In the present study, rainfed cropping systems for maize and beans were evaluated in "W" type micro-watersheds. In a fluvisol soil, micro-watersheds with zero slopes were built at 1.6 m distance and 0.4 m high. Treatments were: conventional planting in furrows at 0.80 m (CP), planting in micro-watersheds (MW), with a row at one end and another at the edge, MW with a topological arrangement (MWT), with maize at the end and beans at the edge and MW planting maize in each slope (MWP). A completely randomized block experimental design with four replications was used. Rainfall at the experimental site was 398, 676 and 397 mm between July and September in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. In 2006 MW output was greater than CP (P<0.05) for maize (29 and 39 % grain and forage, respectively) and beans (40 %). In 2007 and 2008 MW yield was similar to CP (P>0.05) and MWT maize yield improved on CP by 38 and 46 % in 2007 and by 34 and 39 % in 2008, in grain and forage, respectively, while MWP produced more maize forage (18 %) and grain (27 %) than CP (P<0.05). In the three research periods, lodging was observed in MW maize. MWT and MWP planting increases both maize and beans yield, improving water use efficiency in both grain and forage output.