INTERCROPPING MAIZE WITH Panicum maximum AND Stylosanthes CULTIVARS IMPROVES SILAGE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS

Abstract

The adoption of silage production strategies focused on improving quality, combined with environmental conservation, is essential to ensure the production sustainability and the best use of resources. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of triple intercropping of Maize, Panicum maximum cultivars, and Stylosanthes on dry matter production, fermentation profile, and nutritional value of silages, compared to monoculture of these crops. The experiment was carried out in the field, in a randomized block design, with nine treatments and three replications. The following silage treatments were evaluated: Maize monoculture; tamani grass monoculture; Quenia guinea grass monoculture; Stylosanthes cv. Bela monoculture; Stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande monoculture; Maize intercropped with Tamani grass and Bela; Maize intercropped with tamani grass and Campo Grande; Maize intercropped with Quenia guinea grass and Bela; and Maize intercropped with Quenia guinea grass and Campo Grande. The results showed that the intercropping increased silage mass production and improved fermentative characteristics, with reductions of 10.91%; 25.03%; 37.43%; 33.94% and 26.68% in pH, buffering capacity, ammoniacal nitrogen, total dry matter losses and effluent production, respectively, compared to silages of Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes cultivars in monoculture. Furthermore, there was a 26.10% increase in crude protein content compared to Maize silage. Among the Stylosanthes cultivars, Bela showed the greatest intercropping capacity. Regarding the Panicum maximum cultivars, both can be recommended for intercropping. It is concluded that the Maize system with Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes cultivars can be recommended for silage production, focusing on sustainability and reducing costs with mineral fertilization. Keywords: Forage conservation; triple intercropping; legumes; sustainability.