The no-till system provides an environment for improved soil life and higher crop production. However, disregarding its fundamental principles can compromise its effectiveness. This study evaluated the effects of soil management practices (disc plow, moldboard plow, chisel plow, and no-till) and cropping systems (maize monocropping, maize intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis, U. ruziziensis intercropped with Crotalaria ochroleuca, and a mixed cover crops) on soil quality bioindicators and soybean production. The hypothesis was that the quantity and quality of plant residues, combined with reduced soil disturbance, would enhance biological activity and crop yield. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot factorial design. Soil samples were collected from the 0-10-cm layer before sowing and at soybean flowering to evaluate soil microbiological components such as microbial biomass carbon, metabolic quotient, and microbial respiration. Soybean production components following the soil management and cropping systems were analyzed. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (p <= 0.05), means were compared using Tukey's test, and Pearson's correlation was performed among the analyzed variables. Soil management practices with less soil disturbance, such as moldboard plowing, scarification, and no-till, exhibited lower biological soil disturbance and higher soybean yield. Cropping systems with quantity and quality of residues, such as the intercropping of U. ruziziensis with C. ochroleuca, stood out for their positive effects on soybean yield.

Maize-brachiaria intercropping has become adopted as a sustainable agricultural practice, capable of improving soil quality, optimizing nitrogen (N) use, and increasing the productive resilience of cropping systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different N sources on the agronomic performance of maize. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Agropecu & aacute;ria Oeste (Dourados, MS, Brazil). The experimental design was a randomized block design with a 2 & times; 4 factorial scheme, with three replications. The treatments included two maize cropping systems (monoculture and intercropped with brachiaria) and four N sources applied as topdressing: urea (45% N), urea with urease inhibitor (45% N), ammonium nitrate (27% N), and a control (no N). Plant height, biomass, grain yield, 100-grain weight, and nutrient content in the straw, and grains were evaluated. Maize monoculture showed greater accumulation of N and S in the grains, while maize-brachiaria intercropping increased C input in the straw and intensified nutrient cycling. N sources did not alter total biomass, but urea and urea with inhibitors increased N and Cu in the straw, and all increased N in the grains. It was concluded that intercropping combined with proper N management favors more sustainable systems for potential soil conservation.

Biomass sorghum is notable for its high dry matter (DM) yield, making it suitable for silage production. However, hybrids with higher biomass production often show lower nutrient digestibility due to a greater proportion of stems. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance, chemical composition, and fiber digestibility of five biomass sorghum hybrids (CMSXS5039, CMSXS5044, CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103, and BRS716) grown in two soil types (clayey and sandy) in Dourados and Jate & iacute;, Mato Grosso do Sul. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 5 & times; 2 factorial scheme. The evaluated parameters included agronomic characteristics, chemical composition, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD48). Hybrids CMSXS7102 and CMSXS7103 showed the greatest plant heights and highest yields of total, stem, and leaf DM in Jate & iacute;. In contrast, hybrids CMSXS5039 and CMSXS5044 presented lower NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents, higher NDFD, and lower lignin concentrations, indicating better nutritional quality in both places. The highest soluble and digestible protein (DP) contents were observed in Dourados (clay soil), as well as the highest levels of nonfibrous carbohydrates (NFCs). In conclusion, CMSXS7102 and CMSXS7103 are suitable for forage production, whereas CMSXS5039 and CMSXS5044 are better suited for forage quality, and rainfall deficit limits sorghum biomass yield (BY) even in clay soils.

Biomass sorghum stands out for its high dry matter yield and ratooning ability, enabling additional harvests and silage production. This study evaluated the productive potential and fermentation quality of silages from ratoon biomass sorghum hybrids. A 5 × 2 factorial randomized block design was used, with five hybrids (CMSXS5039, CMSXS5044, CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103, and BRS 716) grown in two municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Dourados and Jateí). Dry matter production (DMP) did not differ (p > 0.05) among the hybrids within each municipality; however, overall yield was higher in Jateí, averaging 12 t DM/ha. In Dourados, CMSXS5039 and CMSXS5044 showed the highest lactic acid concentrations (46.71 and 59.73 g/kg DM), whereas in Jateí, CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103, and BRS 716 stood out (45.70, 44.78, and 40.77 g/kg DM, respectively), among the sites, Jateí had the greater lactic acid production (49.95 g/kg DM). Aerobic stability (AS) averaged 28.5 h, with higher values in Dourados (p < 0.05), about 16 h longer than in Jateí. BRS 716 and CMSXS5044 presented the highest crude protein contents (115.17 and 118.33 g/kg DM). CMSXS5039 grown in Jateí had the lowest neutral detergent fiber and the highest starch and non-fiber carbohydrate values. Biomass sorghum hybrids exhibited good yield potential and good silage quality even under low rainfall conditions, with CMSXS5039 best suited for more energetic diets and BRS 716 and CMSXS5044 for more proteic diets.

ABSTRACTDue to their high productivity, biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) hybrids may be promising to maximise roughage production for ruminants. However, the variation in chemical composition among hybrids may impact the nutritional value and the fermentation process of the silages produced. Thus, the present study assessed the fermentation quality and chemical composition of silages from five hybrids of biomass sorghum. The experiment adopted a 5 × 2 factorial randomised block design with five biomass sorghum hybrids (CMSXS5039, CMSXS5044, CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103 and BRS 716) sowed in two municipalities of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Dourados and Jateí). The parameters assessed were chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility, profile of short‐chain organic acids, pH, ammonia, fermentation losses and aerobic stability. The silages produced from CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103 and BRS 716 in Dourados had higher fibre content and lower digestibility coefficients. In contrast, hybrids with higher non‐fibrous carbohydrate content and lower lignin levels, such as CMSXS5044 and CMSXS5039, exhibited the best digestibility values. Silages produced in Jateí had higher moisture content, which resulted in increased effluent losses, particularly for the CMSXS5044 (450 kg ton−1 DM) and CMSXS5039 (320 kg ton−1 DM) hybrids. This higher effluent production in Jateí led to lower soluble protein (SP) and degradable protein (DP) concentrations compared to the silages from Dourados. Additionally, the higher moisture content in Jateí promoted the production of butyric acid in the silages. Silages from the CMSXS5039 hybrid (70.5 g kg−1 DM) had the highest lactic acid content; however, no significant difference was observed in acetic acid levels between the treatments. Overall, all the sorghum biomass hybrids tested produced silages with good fermentative and nutritional quality, but CMSXS5039 stood out in most of the parameters evaluated.

Crop–livestock integration is widely adopted as a strategy for recovering degraded pastures. In this system, intercropping crops such as sorghum with tropical grasses enables the harvest of sorghum for silage while simultaneously establishing a new pasture. However, interspecific competition for resources can limit sorghum development and yield, potentially compromise the fermentation process and reduce the nutritional quality of the silage. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance, fermentative characteristics, and chemical–bromatological composition of silages produced from different biomass sorghum-grass intercropping systems. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement: three cropping systems [sorghum monoculture, sorghum intercropped with Marandu grass (S + M), and sorghum intercropped with Zuri grass (S + Z)] and two sorghum row spacings (45 and 90 cm). The S + Z intercropping system with 90 cm row spacing showed the highest total dry matter yield (16.42 t/ha). It also presented better fermentative parameters, such as pH (4.02) and lactic acid (5.31%DM) and superior nutritional quality, with lower fiber content and higher concentrations of NFC (24.79%DM), TDN (59.75%DM), and digestibility. It is concluded that intercropping biomass sorghum with Zuri grass at 90 cm spacing is the most promising strategy for producing high-quality silage.

Maize silage has been used as a forage reserve strategy for critical periods or continuous use in animal feed. However, new genotypes and their potential must be identified. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of maize genotypes for silage and grain in one off-season in the midwest region of Brazil, under limited water and frost, and select them for this dual purpose (silage and grain) using the GT Biplot tool. The experiment was performed at Embrapa Western Agriculture in the autumn-winter season of 2021 in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks of six maize genotypes (BRS1010, KWS9606, 1P2224, 1Q2383, BRS3046, and CAPO) with five replications under no-tillage. Silage points were evaluated at harvest when the grain milk line was at ¾ and maize grains at the maturation stage (dry plant). The 1P2224 and 1Q2383 maize genotypes present silage (high green and dry biomass) and grain yield potential. The GT Biplot tool identified the 1P2224 genotype as superior and suitable for cultivation or as a parent in a breeding program in the midwest region of Brazil for silage and grain yield evaluations of one off-season under limited water and frost.

The objective of this study was to identify cowpea genotypes that fulfill the criteria of high grain yield, adaptability, and stability in the Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) region. Yield data from Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials conducted in the municipalities of Dourados and Aquidauana/MS from March to August 2017 and 2018 were used, totaling four environments. A random-ized block design with 14 treatments and four repetitions was adopted. Yield was evaluated by weighing the grains from the usable plot and converting the values to kilogram per hectare. After the analysis of variance, the interaction between genotypes and environments was evaluated by the methodologies of adaptability-stability analysis of Eberhart and Russell, Lin and Binns modified by Carneiro and GGE-Biplot. The genotypes Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-7, Pingo-de-ouro 1-5-5 and Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24 are stable, adaptable and productive for the state according to the complementary use of the methods.

The intercropped of cultures and biological organisms are sustainable ways to produce due to the benefits for the environment, soil, and plant, in addition to reducing costs in cultivation. The objective was to evaluate the influence of doses of Azospirillum brasilense in two soil classes in the cultivation of single maize and in intercropping with Brachiaria ruziziensis. The experimental design was in randomized block, in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme, with six replications. First factor being two soils: Latossolo Vermelho Eutrofico (clayish) and Latossolo Vermelho Distrofico (sandy); the second factor two types of cultivation: single maize and intercropped with B. ruziziensis; the third inoculation factor: without inoculant, with one dose (120 mL per 50 kg of seed), and with two doses of A. brasilense. The potential of clayey soils had high values in relation to sandy soil for the trait hundred grain weight, and, also when associated in intercrop of maize with brachiaria for plant height, number of grains per ear had higher values than in sandy soils. One or two doses of A. brasilense in clayey soil and intercropped of maize with brachiaria resulted in higher maize grain yield.

Pre-harvest desiccation of indeterminate growth habit plants such as cowpea may improve harvest efficiency, uniform maturation and seed quality. This research aimed to determine the effects of pre-harvest desiccation and harvesting time on the yield and quality of cowpea seeds. Two experiments were carried out in Dourados, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in the 2015 and 2017 growing seasons. The experimental design was a split-plot, with main plots arranged as a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Main plots corresponded to the application or no application of paraquat at physiological maturity and subplots to harvesting times: 0, 3, 6. 9, 12 and 15 days after that stage. Moisture content, weight and yield were assessed for each treatment. Physiological quality was evaluated by germination and vigor tests. Means of desiccation conditions were compared by the Tukey test (p 0.05) and harvest times by regression analysis, arranged as a 2x6 factorial. Seed yield and weight were negatively influenced by pre-harvest desiccation with paraquat and delayed harvest. Isolated and interactive responses for desiccation treatments and harvesting time on seed quality varied depending on the growing season. Seed germination and vigor were decreased by late harvest, while desiccation effects varied depending on harvest time.

Maize is a versatile crop, which allows from the production of whole plant silage to the harvest of grain maize, but it is necessary to verify the genotypes with these potentials according to the region of cultivation. Thus, the objective of this work was to identify the aptitude of maize for biomass for silage and grain in two years of second season cultivation in Dourados-MS. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Western Agriculture, Dourados, MS, Brazil under field conditions in the experimental design was in randomized complete block in a 6x2 factorial scheme be six maize genotypes (BRS1010, KWS9606, BRS3046, 1P2224, 1Q2383, CAPO) and two growing years (2021 and 2022) with five replications. The agronomic traits of plant biomass for silage (plant and ear heigh, stem diameter number of leaves, green mass yield plant, leaf, steam more tassel and ear, dry matter yield in the plant and efficiency of land) and maize grain (ear diameter ear length, number of grain rows per ear, number of grains per row in ears, hundred seed weight and grain yield) were evaluated. There was an increase in the values of the traits for whole maize plant in the year 2022 compared to the year 2021. The maize genotypes indicated for biomass for silage were BRS3046, KWS9606 and 1Q2383, as for maize grain, the experimental genotypes that are under development, 1P2224 and 1Q2383, are promising options for the region.

Chemical management and the predecessor culture directly influence the occurrence of weeds in the agricultural system. The study aimed to evaluate weed infestation in autumn-winter crops and soybean in succession desiccated with glyphosate. The design used was randomized blocks, with plots measuring 3 x 5 m, with the following treatments: 1 (brachiaria); 2 (cowpea bean); 3 (corn intercropped with brachiaria), and 4 (corn). All areas were desiccated with 2 L ha(-1) of glyphosate. The weed species community changed from winter cultivation to soybean cultivation. According to the predecessor crops, absolute infestation and weed composition are modified in soybean crops. Weed diversity in corn-brachiaria intercropping areas in winter was different concerning occurrence in the same area in summer in soybean cultivation. Brachiaria and corn grown intercropped with brachiaria have lower weed diversity in soybean in succession. The corn-brachiaria intercropping integrated with the use of glyphosate reduced weed diversity in soybean. There was only one weed species in the soybean crop in which there was a corn-brachiaria intercropping as a predecessor crop.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of corn (Zea mays) grown single and intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis in succession to soybean (Glycine max) inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, as well as the inoculation and reinoculation of corn with Azospirillum brasilense, in two contrasting soils. The experiment was carried out in two crop years, in a randomized complete block design, in a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement, with five replicates. The first evalauted factor was composed of the two constrasting soils: a clayey Rhodic Eutrustox and a sandy Rhodic Haplustox. The second factor was corn cultivation: single and intercropped with U. ruziziensis. The third factor consisted of the inoculation onto soybean and corn in succession, as follows: no inoculation in both crops, inoculation with B. japonicum onto soybean and with A. brasilense onto corn, and reinoculation with B. japonicum + A. brasilense onto soybean and with A. brasilense onto corn. In both crop years, the highest corn yields are observed in clayey soil with seeds reinoculated with A. brasilense. The annual reinoculation with A. brasilense results in a higher corn grain yield in the intercropping with U. ruziziensis in the clayey soil. Inoculation and reinoculation reduce corn yield losses caused by the competition with U. ruziziensis in intercropping.

ABSTRACT: This research evaluated the biomass productivity and nutritional value of the haylage and hay from intercropping between Tamani grass and different legume species. For the productive characteristics of the different intercrops, we adopted a randomized block design, for evaluation of the combination of intercropping and conservation technic we used 5 x 2 factorial scheme (five intercrops and two types of conservation techniques). The treatments were Tamani grass as monoculture, and the intercrops of Tamani grass with crotalaria, soybean, cowpea, or pigeon pea. The conservation techniques were haylage (520 g/kg of DM) and hay (870 g/kg of DM). Plants were sown in alternate rows, with 45 cm of spacing between the rows. The parameters evaluated were grass and legume biomass production, canopy height, and haylage and hay chemical composition, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (ivDMD). There were no differences in the total biomass production between the intercrops and TA grass monoculture. The treatments intercropped with cowpea and soybean had the highest legume participation in the mixture, promoting an increase in crude protein and ivDMD content of haylage and hay. Haylage and hay had the same chemical composition, although haylage had higher ivDMD than hay. We concluded that intercropping Tamani grass with soybeans or cowpea maintained total biomass productivity and improved the nutritional value of haylage and hay.

O manejo químico e a cultura antecessora influenciam diretamente a ocorrência de plantas daninhas no sistema agrícola. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar a infestação de plantas daninhas em culturas de outono-inverno e na soja em sucessão dessecadas com glyphosate. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com parcelas medindo 3 x 5 m, com os seguintes tratamentos: 1 (brachiaria); 2 (feijão-caupi); 3 (consorcio milho com brachiaria) e 4 (milho). Todas as áreas foram dessecadas com 2 L ha-1 de glyphosate. A comunidade de espécies daninhas sofreu alterações do cultivo de inverno para o cultivo da soja. A infestação absoluta e a composição de plantas daninhas são modificadas na cultura da soja em função de culturas antecedentes. A diversidade de plantas daninhas nas áreas de consorcio milho-braquiária no inverno foi distinta em relação ocorrência na mesma área no verão no cultivo da soja. Braquiária e consorcio milho-braquiária apresentam menor diversidade de plantas daninhas na soja em sucessão. O consorcio milho-braquiária integrado ao uso do glifosato reduziu a diversidade de plantas daninhas na soja. Na cultura da soja em que havia como cultura antecessora consorcio milho-braquiária ocorreu apenas uma espécie de planta daninha.

The central Brazilian Savanna biome, known as Cerrado, has a vast area of pastures affected by some degree of degradation, where one of the main challenges is incorporating these areas into a crop production system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pasture renewal systems on the microbiological and structural quality of a medium-texture Oxisol. A randomized blocks design was adopted, with four replications and eight pasture renewal systems: 1) soybean/off-season maize/soybean; 2) soybean/maize-grass intercropping/soybean; 3) grass for 10 months and then one soybean crop; 4) grass + rattlepod for 10 months and then one soybean crop; 5) grass for 13 months and then one soybean crop; 6) grass + rattlepod for 13 months and then one soybean crop; 7) one soybean crop; 8) original pasture (control). The microbiological quality was assessed based on soil microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial activity, microbial metabolic quotient - qCO2 and activity of the β-glucosidase enzyme; and the structural quality based on the soil structural quality index. The implementation of pasture renewal systems with grass as a single crop (systems 3 and 5) or intercropped with rattlepod (systems 4 and 6) improves the soil microbiological and structural quality. The pasture renewal system beginning with soybean/off-season maize succession (system 1) is not indicated for the medium-texture soil evaluated in this study. KEYWORDS: Rapid soil structure diagnosis, β-glucosidase, soil microbial biomass.

The study of canonical correlation makes it possible to identify and quantify the associations of morphological and productive characters with the performance of cultures. Due to the scarcity of studies on the topic of cowpea, the selection of characters of interest for grain yield is promising. The objective of this study was to verify the associations between morphological traits and yield components in cowpea. The experiment was carried out in 2016 at experimental area of the Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, municipality of Dourados, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with 14 treatments and four replications. Canonical groups were established between production components (group 1) and morphological characteristics (group 2). Canonical correlation analysis was estimated between the group consisting of primary agronomic traits (grain yield, number of pods and pod length) and the group consisting of secondary agronomic traits (beginning of flowering, plant size, value for cultivation and lodging). The data were submitted to analysis of variance at 5% probability and canonical variables. Moreover, it was determined the matrix of phenotypic correlation coefficients and the multicollinearity diagnosis. The number of pods per plant, pod length and plant size showed high and positive magnitude, allowing to conclude that, in cowpea breeding program, plants with the highest number of pods per plant, earliness and optimal plant architecture for mechanized harvesting should be selected to increased grain yield.

The experiment was performed at a non-acclimatized protected screened environment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence predecessor crops of single and intercropping corn and brachiaria on soybean yield submitted to irrigation intervals. The experimental design adopted was in a split split-plot randomized block design with four repetitions. Two soil classes (dystroferric Red Latosol and dystrophic Red Latosol) were evaluated in the plots, three intervals between irrigations were used during the soybean flowering (each one day, two days and three days) in the subplots and three types straw in the crops autumn-winter (single corn, single brachiaria, intercropping corn and brachiaria) in the sub-subplots. The two soybean plants cultivated in polyethylene pots containing 20 liters of dystroferric Red Latosol or dystrophic Red Latosol corresponded to each repetition, according to the treatment. The irrigation intervals of three and two days, in dystroferric Red Latosol and dystrophic Red Latosol, respectively, with single brachiaria at the previous crop provided greater number and weight of pods, higher number of grains and higher soybean yield. Irrigation every three days with single corn at the previous crop in dystroferric Red Latosol and dystrophic Red Latosol, resulted in the lower soybean performance.

ABSTRACT The central Brazilian Savanna biome, known as Cerrado, has a vast area of pastures affected by some degree of degradation, where one of the main challenges is incorporating these areas into a crop production system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pasture renewal systems on the microbiological and structural quality of a medium-texture Oxisol. A randomized blocks design was adopted, with four replications and eight pasture renewal systems: 1) soybean/off-season maize/soybean; 2) soybean/maize-grass intercropping/soybean; 3) grass for 10 months and then one soybean crop; 4) grass + rattlepod for 10 months and then one soybean crop; 5) grass for 13 months and then one soybean crop; 6) grass + rattlepod for 13 months and then one soybean crop; 7) one soybean crop; 8) original pasture (control). The microbiological quality was assessed based on soil microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial activity, microbial metabolic quotient - qCO2 and activity of the β-glucosidase enzyme; and the structural quality based on the soil structural quality index. The implementation of pasture renewal systems with grass as a single crop (systems 3 and 5) or intercropped with rattlepod (systems 4 and 6) improves the soil microbiological and structural quality. The pasture renewal system beginning with soybean/off-season maize succession (system 1) is not indicated for the medium-texture soil evaluated in this study.