Thermal and Soil Moisture Amplitude of Intercropped Crops

Conservation systems of production are promoting yields and profitability, intercropping systems aim at sustainable maximization of soil and water use, and have become an alternative for regions characterized by relatively short rainy periods and high temperatures. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the intercropping system between maize (Zea mays L.) and C. juncea (Crotalaria juncea L.) on soil temperature and humidity for the municipality of Tangará da Serra in Brazil. The treatments consisted of the single crop of maize and crotalaria, as well as their intercrop cultivation, the soil temperature was evaluated at depths of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 and 0.40 m and soil moisture at depths of 0.20 and 0.40 m. The components of grain production and yield of maize were also evaluated, for crotalaria, height, diameter and dry mass of the plants were evaluated. The highest soil temperature occurred at 14 h with an average of 21°C for all three treatments. The intercropping of maize with crotalaria gave the soil a lower amplitude of the soil temperature and kept the soil moisture high with values of 0.3 m3 m-3 in the depth of 0.20 m. The development stage presented the lowest mean thermal amplitude and higher humidity for the intercrop system. The yield of maize in an intercrop was reduced by 42.7% compared to a single crop.