The Adoption of Intercropping Practices with Tropical Grasses Aims at Optimising Forage Production Performance in the Semi-Arid Region

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance intercropped between two pastures: Massai guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Massai) and Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). The experiment took place at the Academic Unit Specialized in Agricultural Sciences of the Agricultural School of Jundiai, Macaiba, Brazil. Five cropping strategies were tested: Massai guinea grass monoculture, Marandu palisadegrass monoculture, and three types of intercropping (75% Massai guinea grass and 25% Marandu palisadegrass; 50% Massai guinea grass and 50% Marandu palisadegrass; 25% Massai guinea grass and 75% Marandu palisadegrass). No differences in leaf dynamics between Marandu palisadegrass and Massai guinea grass in intercropping. Both exhibit phenotypic plasticity to coexist. Marandu palisadegrass monoculture yields best during the rainy season (2692 kg ha-1). Among intercropping systems, when there is an increase of 50%-75% of Marandu palisadegrass, average forage availability values of 2509 kg ha-1 and 2385 kg ha-1 were observed during the rainy season. However, during the dry season, all intercropped pastures experienced a decline in forage yield. The forage yield of intercropped cultures does not reach the same level as that of pure Marandu palisadegrass cultivation. It is worth noting that intercropping can optimise forage production during the rainy season.