Drought, salinity, and low soil fertility have negative impacts on agricultural productivity, resulting in food scarcity and nutritional insecurity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] has seen increased interest as a short-duration and drought tolerant legume crop, capable of atmospheric N₂ fixation. Mungbean is a protein and iron-rich legume and can be used as vegetable or grain for human consumption or multipurpose crop. At present, few studies have simultaneously explored the best agronomic practices for mungbean cultivation and evaluated its potential for increasing crop yields via intercropping systems and improving soil fertility through biological N₂ fixation. To understand the agronomic practices and soil physical properties limiting mungbean production, the impacts of two mungbean cultivars (Berken and OK2000) with and without inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. grown in loamy sand and silt loam soils on mungbean growth and yield were investigated under glasshouse conditions. Promising results from this study led to the introduction of mungbean into pearl millet systems in Senegal and evaluation of the effects of intercropping on growth, yields, land equivalent ratio (LER), canopy cover estimates, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Finally, we evaluated plant growth and N₂ fixation of five mungbean genotypes grown in two soil textures using the ¹⁵N natural abundance technique leading to recommendations for those with the greatest overall benefit to the cropping system. The literature review shows mungbean often proposed as a strategic crop for increasing legume diversification within current cropping systems and providing increased food security as well as market diversification and economic sustainability. The greenhouse study revealed that OK2000 cultivar produced significantly higher yield when inoculated and planted on a silt loam soil than other treatments, indicating the importance of inoculation and soil texture in mungbean establishment. Intercropping mungbean and millet significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased combined yields (35% to 100% increase) and LER compared to sole millet cropping systems. Canopy cover estimates and NDVI values significantly increased up to 60% and 30%, respectively, in millet-mungbean intercropping over millet alone. The N2 fixation study showed that %Ndfa of mungbean was higher when grown in the loamy sand soil (27% increase). However, soil N uptake (235 mg plant⁻¹) and amount of N fixed (67 mg plant⁻¹) were greater in the silt loam soil. Among genotypes, IC 8972-1 significantly (p≤ 0.05) derived less N from the atmosphere (23%) but took more soil N (155 mg plant⁻¹) which yielded significantly greater dry biomass (7.85 g plant⁻¹) and shoot N content (200 mg plant⁻¹). The results from the N₂ fixation study indicated that choice of mungbean genotype can contribute to reducing N needs of agricultural systems. Overall, this research project demonstrated that mungbean has the potential for diversifying smallholder agriculture and adding biologically fixed N into soils, in line with transformative adaptation strategies being promoted for sustainable agriculture. Further research and development programs on good cultural practices, adaptation to cropping systems, and nutritional benefits for human consumption can promote mungbean cultivation in SSA. / Doctor of Philosophy / Global population growth is expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050 while climate change is predicted to reduce food production. Sustainable solutions are needed for increasing food availability and satisfying nutritional needs under changing climatic conditions. Mungbean is a viable option because it is a legume crop capable of restoring soil fertility and has low water requirements. Mungbean also contains high levels of protein and iron and can, therefore, provide a nutritious and healthy food. Although the agronomic benefits of mungbean have been studied, best cultural practices and its impact on farming systems and soil fertility are scattered. The objectives of this research were to identify the best agronomic practices for mungbean production, assess its effects when grown together with millet, and measure its nitrogen contribution to the soil. The results showed that selecting the best genotypes to be grown in a particular soil texture can significantly increase mungbean growth and yield. In addition, incorporation of mungbean into cereal-based farming systems demonstrated its capacity for improving agricultural production in a low-input environment. Assessment of nitrogen fixation by mungbean showed that it can naturally add nitrogen into the soils, the most limiting plant nutrient, reducing nitrogen application needs. Thus, the ability of mungbean to diversify farming systems, improve soil fertility, and deliver nutritious food will provide agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits to farmers, especially in food-insecure households. However, exploitation of the full potential of mungbean won't be achieved without understanding the major factors influencing mungbean cultivation and production.

Winter-annual cover crops reduce soil erosion by providing ground cover, while producing energy-cheap N for a subsequent crop. Incorporated cover crops or those left as no-till mulch can enhance soil structure and water infiltration. A series of studies was designed to test agronomic advantages of growing mixtures of rye plus hairy vetch and hairy plus bigflower vetches. Plots were arranged in randomized complete blocks and the study conducted for two consecutive cover crop/corn sequences. I measured N yield of cover crops, their ground-covering ability, and their influence on soil structure and a subsequent corn crop. Nitrogen yields ranged from 53 to 187 kg/ha using either pure stands of hairy vetch or mixtures of hairy vetch plus bigflower vetch. Nitrogen yields for rye plus hairy vetch mixtures ranged from 90 to 179 kg/ha. Rye growing in association with vetch had lower C:N ratios (47:1) than pure rye (59:1), apparently deriving additional N from vetch. Vetches were poor at covering the ground in the fall (< 15% cover) as compared to rye (> 41% cover) or mixtures of rye and vetch (25 to 45% cover). When compared to vetch pure stands, corn yields were suppressed 5 to 42% by including rye with vetch due to N immobilization from the rye component and reduced N yield from the vetch component. Corn yields from hairy vetch or hairy: bigflower vetch mixtures were 15.5 Mg/ha and 16.2 Mg/ha respectively and statistically similar to rye + 140 kg N/ha (16.7 Mg/ha). Corn following the two-vetch mixture took up 129 kg N/ha, while corn following hairy vetch took up 114 kg N/ha. Using N fertilizer, corn N uptake was 183 kg N/ha following 140 kg N/ha fertilizer and 213 kg/ha following 210 kg/ha N fertilizer. Increased soil moisture seemed to be related to the presence of a surface mulch. I was unable to detect any changes in water-stable soil aggregates in the upper 15 cm after 2 years of cover cropping. During 1988, water infiltration in no-till plots was lower than in plots that had been disk incorporated, but a tillage effect was not seen in 1989. / Ph. D.

Sustainable agriculture in China is highly threatened by rapid urbanization, land degradation and high population pressure. Yunnan Province, south-west China, is 94% mountainous and lacks flat land. Food shortages and inappropriate cultivation have led to intensive cultivation of steep, marginal and fragile land and have increased soil erosion. To curb this situation and assist with poverty alleviation, it is crucial to develop more productive and sustainable cropping systems. An experiment was conducted on sloping areas from 1999 to 2001 in Wang Jia Catchment, Yunnan Province. The project aim was to evaluate the effects of five selected cultivation practices on maize productivity and soil properties. The treatments were: (1) downslope cultivation without mulch, (2) contour cultivation without mulch, (3) contour cultivation with polythene mulch, (4) contour cultivation with polythene and wheat straw mulch (Integrated Contour with Plastic and Straw Mulch Treatment, INCOPLAST) and (5) contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping, wide and narrow row spacing, with soybean in wide row spacing. Crop growth parameters and soil physical properties were measured throughout the cropping seasons. Considering three years data, contour cultivation with polythene mulch generally increased soil temperature by a mean of 1-2°C. The polythene retained considerably more soil moisture during dry weather. However, during wet weather, polythene prevented rainfall directly falling on the soil, which led to less soil moisture content. The soil temperature and moisture regimes under polythene mulch made plants grow faster and canopies develop well, leading to higher final yields. The benefit of polythene was 33-54% more yield than downslope cultivation without mulch treatment, over three seasons. Contour cultivation plus polythene and straw mulch retained significantly higher soil moisture levels. The yield of this treatment in 1999 was ranked second, but in 2000 it had the highest yield and in 2001 it was also more effective than contour cultivation with polythene mulch treatment. Contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping improved maize yield. The soybean harvest also contributed to net income, the crop had a similar function to straw mulch and increased N availability. Contour cultivation increased yields over the range 7.2-11.2% over three seasons compared with downslope cultivation, equivalent to ~500-1000 kg per hectare more grain produced. There were few clear trends in soil properties over the 1999-2001 period. However, N concentrations increased in the contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping treatment. Both contour cultivation with polythene and straw mulch and contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping gave apparent increases in total K, probably resulting from both decayed straw and decomposed soybean leaves. In terms of simple cost-benefit evaluation, downslope cultivation had the lowest input and output, while contour cultivation had a similar input, but a higher output. Contour cultivation with polythene had the highest net return. Contour cultivation with polythene and straw had a high output but did not give a higher net return than contour cultivation with polythene. Contour cultivation with polythene mulch and intercropping generally had the highest input and output and could give a higher net return than contour cultivation with polythene when the soybean harvest was successful, but over three years this treatment had the greatest risk from crop failure. It is recommended that replacing downslope cultivation with contour cultivation can increase crop yields and this simple action could contribute to the development of more sustainable cropping systems in Yunnan. Polythene mulch achieved higher maize yields but its environmental impact requires further study. It is considered that contour cultivation with polythene and straw mulch or soybean intercropping could contribute towards more productive and sustainable cropping systems where soil conservation is high priority. The technique could assist with long-term soil, water and nutrient conservation and improved crop productivity.

Cette thèse visait à caractériser et à modéliser la dynamique des trois ressources principales que sont l'eau, l'azote et le rayonnement dans une association en relais maïs-plante de couverture en semis direct en région tropicale subhumide et ses conséquences sur la productivité de la culture principale et de l'ensemble du système et sur les flux d'eau et d'azote dans le sol. Le travail repose sur un dispositif expérimental mis en place dans les Cerrados, à Unaí (Minas Géras, Brésil) en 2007 pour deux années agricoles, d'une part en station expérimentale permettant un effort de mesure intense et d'autre part dans un réseau de parcelles d'agriculteurs offrant une large gamme de situations pédoclimatiques et de modalités de mise en œuvre des systèmes de culture étudiés. Dans ces derniers, la culture principale était un maïs, et la plante de couverture associée en relais était une culture fourragère tropicale, soit la légumineuse, Cajanus cajan soit la poacée, Brachiaria ruziziensis. Deux dates de semis, précoce et tardive étaient considérées pour le semis de la plante de couverture au sein du maïs, dans le cas de l'essai en station. Ce travail montre que rendement du maïs n'a pas été significativement affecté par la présence de la plante de couverture semée précocement au sein du maïs, en comparaison avec le rendement du maïs en culture pure. En revanche, la production en biomasse de la plante de couverture a été significativement réduite dans l'association. Le semis précoce de la plante de couverture au sein du maïs permet une production en biomasse significativement plus importante qu'un semis tardif (20 jours après floraison du maïs), et une production totale en biomasse de l'ensemble de l'association significativement plus importante par rapport aux cultures pures. Cette production totale a été plus du double comparée à celle de la culture pure de maïs dans le cas de l'association maïs-Cajanus. Les valeurs du Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) du rendement en grain de maïs et de la production de biomasse ont été supérieures à 1, atteignant jusqu'à 2.03 témoignant d'une meilleure valorisation des ressources par les espèces associées et l'avantage de tels systèmes pour produire à la fois du grain et du fourrage. La thèse montre aussi la forte variabilité du potentiel de production de ces systèmes en parcelles de producteurs et suggère que lorsque les ressources en eau et en azote sont moins disponibles que dans l'essai de station, des compétitions entre maïs et plantes de couverture peuvent réduire les performances agronomiques du maïs et/ou de la plante de couverture comparativement par rapport à la culture pure équivalente. La biomasse totale produite reste cependant supérieure à celle de la culture pure de maïs, sauf pour de rares exceptions où de plus faibles disponibilités en ressources, parfois accentué par des difficultés de gestion technique, le maïs semble souffrir de compétition plus forte et/ou la plante de couverture ne produit que très peu de biomasse. La thèse évalue la capacité d'un modèle de simulation de culture associées, STICS-CA, à fournir une analyse plus fine de la dynamique du partage des ressources dans ces systèmes et à en estimer les performances agronomiques et certains impacts environnementaux en fonction de conditions techniques et édapho-climatiques différentes de celles de notre dispositif. Des modifications mineures et le calage du modèle ont conduit à une simulation satisfaisante des cultures pures de maïs et Brachiaria et de l'association maïs-Brachiaria en semis direct sur mulch pailleux. En revanche il n'a pas été possible d'obtenir une simulation satisfaisante du maïs en semis conventionnel sur sol labouré, ni du Cajanus en culture pure et de l'association maïs-Cajanus en semis direct. . La thèse fournit des informations sur les imperfections du modèle et propose des améliorations aussi bien en termes de formalismes pour la prise en compte de la minéralisation du mulch, qu'en termes de dispo exp / This thesis dealt with characterizing and modeling the dynamics of the three principal resources which are water, nitrogen and radiation in a no-tillage relay intercropping maize-cover crop systems, under sub-humid tropical area climate. Moreover, productivity of the main crop and of the whole system and nitrogen and water flows in the soil are assessed.The study was based on an on-field approach/experimental design carried out during two crop growing seasons in Cerrados region, in Unaí (Minas Géras, Brazil) since 2007. Firstly, an experimental station was used allowing an intense effort of measurement and secondly, a whole of several farmer's fields offering a wide range of soil and climate conditions and modalities of implementation of the studied cropping systems. In the latter, main crop was maize, and intercropped cover crop was a tropical fodder crop, either leguminous, Cajanus cajan or gramineous, Brachiaria ruziziensis. Two dates of sowing, early and late were considered for the sowing of the cover crop in established maize, in the case of the experimental station. This study showed that maize yield was not significantly affected by the presence of the relay cover crops in comparison with maize as the sole crop, even when the cover crop was sown soon after maize emergence in comparison with maize sole crop. In contrast, the production of biomass by the cover crop was significantly lower when grown with maize than when it was grown as a sole crop. In the intercropped systems, when sown early, the cover crop produced higher total biomass than when sown late (20 days after maize flowering). Moreover, total aboveground biomass production of maize intercropped with a cover crop was much higher than that of any of the crops sown alone. Total biomass produced by maize and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) was more than double that maize grown alone. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values of both maize grain yield and biomass production were higher than one, whatever the intercrop system, reaching up to 2.03 providing better available resources use efficiency by the intercropped plants. Thus, such systems permit to produce both maize grains and forage.The thesis shows also the strong variability of the production potential of these systems in farmer's fields and suggests that when water and nitrogen resources are less available than in the experimental station, competitions between maize and cover crops can reduce the agronomic performances of maize and/or the cover crop when compared to the equivalent pure sole crop. Total biomass produced by intercropping remained however higher than that of maize sole crop, except for rare exceptions where lower resources availability, sometimes accentuated by difficulties of technical practice, maize seems to suffer from stronger competition and/or the cover crop produced only very little biomass. The thesis evaluates the capacity of the STICS intercrop model, STICS-CA, to provide a finer analysis of the dynamics of the resource sharing in these systems and to estimate their agronomic performances and certain environmental impacts according to technical practices and soil and climate conditions that were different from those of our experimental station. Minor modifications and model calibration led to obtain satisfying simulations of the sole crops maize and Brachiaria and intercrop maize-Brachiaria in no-tillage under mulch. On the other hand, it was not possible to obtain satisfying simulations of sole crop maize in conventional tillage, nor of sole crop pigeon pea and intercrop maize-pigeon pea in no-tillage under mulch. The thesis provides information on the model imperfections and as well proposes improvements in terms of formalisms to take into account the mineralization of the mulch, as in terms of experimental design.

Intercropping is an important cultural practice commonly used in pest management. It is based on the principle that the reduction of insect pest populations in the crop may occur due to the increase of agro-ecosystem diversity. The study was carried out aiming to assess the impact of colored fiber cotton-cowpea intercropping on both Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 and Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) aphid populations and their predators, especially Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The study also aimed to evaluate the biomass production and the dispersion behavior of the aphids and their predators in this context. Experiments were carried out in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Amino acids were extracted from cotton and cowpea plants. Under greenhouse conditions two wingless aphid species (A. gossypii and A. craccivora) and one predator species (C. sanguinea) were used to evaluate the dispersion, crop preference as well as predator progeny establishment. The influence of abiotic factors (temperature and relative humidity) in aphid dynamics was also analyzed. In field conditions the occurrence of arthropods found in sole or cotton and cowpea intercropped was evaluated. Mathematical models were developed to evaluate the aphid dynamics over time and statistical models were used to compare productivity in plants, dispersion, progeny and reproductive success of predator. Computational simulations were performed to compare the insect occurrence and to evaluate the best cropping system to pest reduction, natural enemy increase and plant productivity. Amino acid asparagine (ASP) was the most detected in the samples. Positive correlations were found between aphids and temperature. Negative correlations were found between aphids and relative humidity. Mathematical models described the dynamics behavior of aphids in arrangements studied. In all cropping systems an asymptotic growth was observed, with population peak and decrease in aphid population. Under greenhouse conditions, the sole cropping exhibited higher number of aphids than intercropping systems. The natural enemy dispersion was similar in both cropping system. However, the progeny abundance and cotton productivity were higher in treatment t1 (intercropping designed with cotton plants : cowpea plants in a row, started and ended with cotton plants). Simulations based in field experiments and literature showed that some cropping arrangements provided temporal dynamics stable in arthropods. However, Toxomerus watsoni (Curran, 1930) (Diptera: Syrphidae) exhibited temporal dynamics unstable and less abundance in arrangements of sole organic cotton or cotton-cowpea intercropping t1 that received insecticide for sucking pest control. Computational simulations confirmed that biomass production was higher in some cotton-cowpea intercropped than in sole cropping systems. / Consórcios são importantes práticas culturais comumente utilizadas no manejo de pragas. Baseiam-se no princípio de que a redução de populações de insetos-praga nos cultivos pode ocorrer devido ao aumento na diversidade do agroecossistema. O estudo foi conduzido objetivando avaliar o impacto que o consórcio entre algodão com fibra colorida e o caupi pode causar nas populações dos pulgões Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877, Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e seus predadores, especialmente Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Objetivou-se também avaliar a produção de biomassa e comportamentos de dispersão dos pulgões e seus inimigos naturais nos cultivos. Experimentos foram conduzidos em condições laboratoriais, casa de vegetação e campo. Realizaram-se extrações de aminoácidos oriundos de plantas de algodão e feijão. Em casa de vegetação, ápteros de duas espécies de pulgões (A. gossypii e A. craccivora) e um predador (C. sanguinea) foram utilizados para avaliar a dispersão, preferência pelo hospedeiro bem como o estabelecimento da progênie do predador. A influência de fatores abióticos (temperatura e umidade relativa) na dinâmica dos pulgões também foi analisada. Em condições de campo, avaliou-se a ocorrência de artrópodes encontrados no algodoeiro e caupi solteiros e consorciados. Modelos matemáticos foram desenvolvidos para avaliar a dinâmica de pulgões ao longo do tempo e modelos estatísticos foram utilizados para comparar produtividade em plantas, dispersão, progênie e sucesso reprodutivo do predador. Simulações computacionais foram utilizadas para comparar a ocorrência de insetos e avaliar o melhor sistema de consórcio que reduza a população de pragas, aumentando a população de inimigos naturais e produtividade do cultivo. O aminoácido asparagina (ASP) foi predominante na maioria das amostras. Correlações positivas foram encontradas entre pulgões e temperatura. Correlações negativas foram encontradas entre pulgões e umidade relativa. Modelos matemáticos descreveram o comportamento dinâmico dos pulgões nos arranjos estudados. Em todos os esquemas de cultivos foi observado um crescimento assintótico, com picos populacionais e decréscimos na população dos pulgões. Em casa de vegetação, os cultivos solteiros propiciaram números de pulgões maiores do que os arranjos de cultivos consorciados. A dispersão do inimigo natural foi similar nos sistemas de cultivos solteiros e consorciados. Entretanto, a abundancia de sua progênie e produtividade de algodão foi maior no tratamento t1 (Consórcio delineado com plantas de algodão : plantas de feijão, cada linha iniciou e terminou com plantas de algodão). Simulações baseadas nos experimentos em condições de campo e literatura demonstram que alguns sistemas de cultivos propiciaram dinâmica temporal estável nos artrópodes estudados. Porém, Toxomerus watsoni (Curran, 1930) (Diptera: Syrphidae) apresentou dinâmica temporal instável e menor abundância nos arranjos de algodão solteiro orgânico ou no consórcio de algodão e feijão t1, que recebeu inseticida para controle das pragas sugadoras. Simulações computacionais confirmaram que a produção de biomassa foi maior em alguns consórcios de algodão com caupi do que em cultivos solteiros.

Os remanescentes florestais, refúgios de biodiversidade, estão sob grande pressão antrópica. A Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (Mata Atlântica do Interior) foi a formação florestal mais devastada no bioma Mata Atlântica. Frente ao quadro de destruição florestal, mudanças climáticas e problemas socioeconômicos, somos desafiadosa desenhar e adaptar novos modelos de restauração florestal, associados ao processo de desenvolvimento e geração de renda das comunidades locais. O objetivo deste estudo foi contribuir com a pesquisa em restauração florestal, avaliando práticas de cultivo intercalar de plantas leguminosas e/ou sistemas agroflorestais, como catalisadores da restauração ecológica, na região do Pontal do Paranapanema, estado de São Paulo. A hipótese central testada é se o controle de plantas espontâneas em plantios de restauração ecológica pode ser realizado através de cultivos intercalares e se os cultivos intercalares interferem na fertilidade do solo e no desenvolvimento das espécies florestais.Durante 24 meses foram monitorados e avaliados: a dinâmica das plantas espontâneas, a evolução da fertilidade do solo eo desenvolvimento das espécies florestais em cada tratamento proposto.O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 4 tratamentos em 4 repetições, sendo: (TE) - Testemunha, sem nenhum cultivo intercalar; (SAF) - Sistema Agroflorestal, plantio de feijão na entrelinha da cultura florestal; (FG) - Feijão guandu, plantado na entrelinha da cultura florestal; (LAB) - Labe-labe, plantado na entrelinha da cultura florestal.Os dados foram analisados em ambiente R, através da ANOVA e testeTUKEY a posteriori. Os resultados das plantas espontâneas apontam para a Brachiaria brizantha como a espécie dominante no tratamento TE e que todos os tratamentos foram capazes de controlar a Brachiaria brizantha. Para a fertilidade do solo, não foram observadasdiferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e/ou anos para as variáveis Ca,H+Al, Mg, M.O., N, SB e V%. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e/ou anos para as variáveis P, K, CTC e pH.Em relação ao desenvolvimento das espécies florestais, quando comparados ambos os grupos ecológicos (pioneiras e não pioneiras), observou-se que todos os tratamentos possuem menor mortalidade e maior altura média quando comparados aTE.Os resultados das análises de área basal, para ambos os grupos ecológicos, sugerem que um menor período de uso das entrelinhas favoreça o crescimento em área basal, porém promove alta mortalidade no grupo das não pioneiras.Conclui-se que os manejos de entrelinha com sistemas agroflorestais ou com cultivo de leguminosas, foram eficientes em criar condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento de espécies florestais, porém o tempo de uso da entrelinha teve influência direta sobre a mortalidade das não pioneiras. / The remaining forests fragments, refuges for biodiversity, are under great anthropogenic pressure. Semi deciduousAtlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica Interior) was the most devastated forest formation in the Atlantic Forest biome. Facing forest destruction, climate change and socioeconomic problems, we are challenged to design and adapt new models of ecological restoration, associated with the rural development and income generation for local communities. The objective of this study was to contribute to research on ecological restoration, assessing management practices through the cultivation of leguminous speciesand agroforestry systems, as catalysts for ecological restoration in the region of Pontal Paranapanema, state of São Paulo. During 24 months it was monitored and evaluated the dynamic of weeds, the evolution of soil fertility and the development of forest species in each proposed treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized with 8 treatments and 1 control in 4 repetitions: (TE) - Control, without intercropping cultivation; (SAF) - Agroforestry System with beansintercropped; (FG) - pigeonpea intercropped with forest; (LAB) - Labe-labe intercropped with forest. Data were analyzed in R environment, by ANOVA and Tukey tests retrospectively. The results point to Brachiaria brizantha as dominant specie in TE, and that all treatments were able to control the spontaneous species. There were no significant differences between treatments and / or years for the variables Ca, H+Al, Mg, OM, N, SB and V%. Significant differences were found between treatments and / or years for the variables P, K, CTC and pH. When both functional groups compared, all treatments have lower mortality and higher average height, compared to the control plots. The results of basal area for both functional groups, suggest that a shorter period of use of lines favor the growth of basal area, but promotes high mortality in the group of non-pioneer tree species. The results suggestthat agroforestry and leguminous species cultivation of pigeonpea and labe-labe, are effective in creating favorable conditions for the development of forest species, but intercropping period has a direct influence on mortality of non-pioneer tree species.

Thesis (DTech (Faculty of Applied Sciences)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / A 3-factorial experiment involving two cowpea densities (83,000 and 167,000 plants.ha-1), two cropping systems (i.e. monoculture and mixed culture) and five cowpea genotypes (i.e. three farmer-selected cultivars, Bensogla, Sanzie and Omondaw and two improved varieties, ITH98-46 and TVu1509) was conducted in the field for two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. The aim was to assess the effect of plant density, cropping system and cowpea genotypes on: (i) chlorophyll and gas-exchange, (ii) rhizosphere mineral concentration and tissue uptake of nutrients, (iii) acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere, (iv) plant growth and symbiotic performance, and (v) concentration of flavonoids and anthocyanins in seed extracts and plant organs and their effect on pest infestation and diseases. The results showed that high plant density (167,000 plants.ha-1) and mixed culture significantly decreased gas-exchange parameters, leaf chlorophyll content, 13C and %C in both cowpea and sorghum plants compared with low plant density (83,000 plants.ha-1) and monoculture. The data also showed significantly higher 13C and lower %C in ITH98-46 and TVu1509 compared with Bensogla, Omondaw and Sanzie genotypes with a significant correlation between 13C and water-use efficiency. At harvest, grain yield of cowpea and sorghum was significantly decreased by high plant density and mixed culture compared with low plant density and monoculture. Sanzie genotype was generally superior in grain yield (2,550 kg.ha-1) followed by cvs. Omondaw and Bensogla (2,250 and 2,150 kg.ha-1, respectively) compared with the improved cultivars. Sorghum plants in mixture with cv. TVu1509 or cv. ITH98-46 performed better (1,570 and 1,550 kg.ha-1, respectively) compared with those in mixture with other cultivars. The results also showed greater land equivalent ratio (LER = 1.42 to 1.52), suggesting that mixed culture produced greater total yields per unit land area compared with monoculture.

Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar a zona do solo de onde o K foi absorvido e acumulado na soja (safra) e nas plantas em sucessão (segunda safra: milho, braquiária e milho consorciado com a braquiária). Para tanto, utilizou o elemento rubídio (Rb) como marcador do nutriente potássio (K), o qual foi posicionado na superfície do solo, a 30 cm e 60 cm de profundidade. A contribuição relativa de as camadas do solo para a ciclagem de K será assumida como proveniente dos primeiros 30 cm de solo (Rb na superfície), de 30 cm a 60 cm (Rb a 30 cm) e de 60 cm a 90 cm de profundidade (Rb a 60 cm). Ainda, a ciclagem de K foi obtida indiretamente, a partir da recuperação de Rb, com base na hipótese de que a mesma equivale à recuperação de K do solo. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Federal de Goiás, Regional de Jataí, no ano agrícola 2015/2016. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. As parcelas constituem os sistemas de produção (soja, soja/milho, soja/braquiária e soja/milho-braquiária), e as subparcelas correspondem às profundidades onde foi posicionado o Rb (superfície do solo, 30 e 60 cm de profundidade). Na soja, a maior parte do K (60%) acumulado foi absorvida da camada superficial do solo, e nas plantas em sucessão a contribuição foi das camadas subsuperficiais, abaixo de 30 cm de profundidade (braquiária - 74%, milho-braquiária - 71% e milho - 81%). A recuperação do K reciclado da parte aérea da soja foi maior para a forrageira (84%), seguida pelo consórcio milho-braquiária (13%) e milho (2,5%). / This research was carried out to identify the soil depth from where K was absorbed and accumulated in the soybean (first season) and in the plants of succession (second season: corn, brachiaria and corn-brachiaria intercropped). In order to do so, it was used the rubidium element (Rb) as marker of potassium nutrient (K), which was positioned on the soil surface, 30 cm and 60 cm depths. The relative contribution of the soil layers to the K cycling will be assumed as the amount coming from the first 30 cm of soil (Rb at the surface), from 30 cm to 60 cm (Rb at 30 cm) and from 60 cm to 90 cm depth (Rb at 60 cm). Also, the cycling of K was obtained indirectly, from the recovery of Rb based on the hypothesis that it has equal recovery of K from the soil. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Goiás, Jataí Regional, in the season of 2015/2016. The experimental design was split-plot with randomized blocks and four replicates. The plots constitute the production systems (soybean, soybean/corn, soybean/brachiaria and soybean/corn-brachiaria intercropped), and the subplots correspond to the depths where the Rb was placed (soil surface, 30 and 60 cm deep). In soybean, most of the K uptake (60%) was taken from the soil surface layer, and in the plants in succession the contribution was from the subsurface layers, below 30 cm depth (brachiaria - 74%, Brachiaria-corn - 71% and corn - 81%). The recovery of recycled K of the soybean above ground was higher in the forage (84%), followed by the corn-brachiaria intercropped (13%) and corn (2.5%).

O cultivo de plantas oleaginosas é uma das principais atividades de subsistência para pequenos agricultores na Paraíba. Porém estes cultivos são afetados por pulgões. Alternativas agroecológicas têm sido consideradas como uma estratégia eficiente no controle de insetos sugadores. Este estudo tem o objetivo de relatar a influência do consórcio de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare) e algodão (Gossypium hirsutum) com fibra colorida nas populações de Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini, 1860) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e do principal inimigo natural Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) ao longo do tempo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos anos agrícolas de 2009, 2010 e 2011 na Área Experimental da Embrapa - Algodão localizado no município de Lagoa Seca - PB, Brasil. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com três tratamentos: cultivo de erva-doce solteiro, algodão solteiro e erva-doce consorciada com algodão, distribuído em quatro repetições. O levantamento populacional dos pulgões e seus respectivos inimigos naturais na área experimental ocorreu em intervalos semanais do início até o fim do ciclo produtivo da erva-doce e do algodão com fibra colorida em cada ano de estudo. A dinâmica e distribuição dos insetos tanto no algodão quanto na erva-doce em ambos os sistemas de cultivo foram analisados através da ANOVA e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Student-Newman-Keuls (P = 0,05). A análise de associação interespecífica ao longo dos três anos de estudo foi baseada na presença e ausência de pulgões e seus inimigos naturais nos dois tipos de cultivos. Foram utilizados modelos matemáticos de equações de diferença para explicar o comportamento dos pulgões e do seu predador. A taxa de crescimento da presa (K1), qualidade da planta de algodão (Qa) e qualidade da planta de erva-doce (Qe), taxa de chegada da praga na planta, resposta numérica do predador foram inclusos nos modelos e analisados em diagrama de bifurcação. Tanto no algodão quanto na erva-doce solteira foi encontrado mais pulgões ápteros e alados do que no sistema consorciado. Independentemente do sistema de cultivo, as regiões da planta de algodão com maior concentração de A. gossypii foram a apical e a mediana, enquanto que a região da planta de erva-doce com maior número de H. foeniculi áptero e alado foi a apical. A produção de picos populacionais de A. gossypii e H. foeniculi se deu em idade distinta das plantas solteiras ou consorciadas. A. gossypii e H. foeniculi na maioria dos casos não coocorreram no consórcio. A movimentação do predador C. sanguinea foi geralmente associada ao sistema de cultivo consorciado e isto se deve provavelmente em função de A. gossypii e H. foeniculi áptero ou alado que ocorreram em épocas distintas ao longo do ano. A qualidade da planta, tanto no sistema de cultivo de algodão ou erva-doce solteiro quanto em algodão ou erva-doce no sistema de cultivo consorciado, mudou o comportamento dos insetos com K1 superior a 1,4. Portanto, o consórcio de algodão com erva-doce pode ser ferramenta importante para o manejo integrado de pulgões. / The cultivation of oilseeds is considered as major activity of small farmers in Paraiba State. However, these crops are affected by aphids. Agroecology alternatives have been considered as an efficient strategy in sucking insects. This study has the objective of reporting the influence of colored fiber cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) intercropped with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on populations of Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini, 1860) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and their natural enemy Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) over the time. The study was conducted on 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in Experimental Station of the Embrapa - Cotton, placed in the municipality of Lagoa Seca, Paraiba, Brazil. A randomized block design was used with three treatments: sole fennel, sole cotton, and colored fiber cotton intercropped with fennel, distributed in four replications. The population study of aphids and their natural enemy was carried out weekly within of each season. The dynamic and distribution of insects in sole cotton, sole fennel, or in cotton-fennel intercropping systems were analyzed by the ANOVA and the means were compared by the Student-Newman-Keuls (P = 0.05) test. Interspecific association was used to analyze the dynamic herbivore-plant and predator-prey over the three years study, based in aphid and their natural enemy presence or absence in sole crop or intercropping systems. Difference equations have been used to explain the behavior of aphids and their predator. Growth rate of pest (K1), quality of cotton plant (Qa) and fennel plant (Qe), pest immigration rate and the numerical response of predator were included in the model and showed in bifurcation diagrams. Both sole cotton and sole fennel hosted more aphids than cotton-fennel intercropping system. Independently of the crop system, in the cotton plants, A. gossypii populations were highest in the apical and middle regions, whereas in fennel, H. foeniculi apterous and alate populations were highest in the apical regions. A. gossypii and H. foeniculi peaked in different ages of sole crop or intercropping system. In many cases there was no co-occurrence of A. gossypii and H. foeniculi in intercropping systems. C. sanguinea was associated with the intercropping systems in response to A. gossypii and H. foeniculi that were found in distinct times over the year. The plant quality in both cotton and fennel in sole crop or intercropping system, changes the insect behavior with K1 higher than 1.4. Therefore, cotton-fennel intercropping can be used in aphids integrated pest management.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:58:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2006-Edmilson Evangelista da Silva.pdf: 1489224 bytes, checksum: dd161137d6e6f221ffe192912c264f26 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-03-17 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Human being has been searching for health foods and environmental conservation in a crescent path. Is this way, organic agriculture activities are showing good results. Nevertheless, several techniques need to be improved for farm adoption. The objective of this work was to evaluate a collard greens and green corn rotation intercropped with legume plants for green manuring in a no tillage system. This work started in May 2003 with the rotation of collard-corn-collard for two years in a SIPA (Integrated Agroecological Production System, Serop?dica, RJ). Mucuna deeringiana and Crotalaria spectabilis intercropped with collard, and C. juncea e M. pruriens intercropped with corn were used. Surface application of 0 and 200 kg ha-1 N-equivalent as poultry bed manure at 6th and 16th harvesting time (100 kg in each application) in 2003; 0 and 100 kg ha-1 of N at 10th harvesting time in 2004 for collard were used. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, a factorial 3 x 2 with four replications. Treatments were kept in the same plots during all three cropping periods. Leaf number, yield, specific leaf area, leaf area index, and nutritional analysis were performed for collard, as well as number of corn spikes and nutritional status for corn. In the second collard cropping year chemical analysis and chemical fractionation analysis of soil were performed. Plant biomass, legume plant nutrient level, and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) rate were determined. M. deeringiana and C. spectabilis yielded 1.5 Mg ha-1 of dry plant biomass where intercropped with collard, but BNF was significantly higher for Crotalaria sp. M. pruriens over C. juncea yielded 2.8 and 5.6 Mg ha-1 of dry plant biomass respectively where intercropped with corn. The presence of legume plants intercropped with collard promoted higher numbers of leaf and yield in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, collard leave from plots intercropped with M. pruriens were larger and more turgid, and with better nutritional status. Surface fertilization for collard increased yield, leaf number, leaf area index, and specific leaf area. Residual fertilization from collard cropped in 2003 affected positively corn plants, but there was no residual effect from legumes. Corn plants showed nutritional N deficiency symptoms. This indicated that residual effect from surface fertilization or green manuring were not sufficient for N supply to the crop. Soil carbon level increased on green manure and poultry bed surface fertilization plots. Preference for humin and humic acid formation, and higher levels of N, P, K, Ca e Mg occurred on places where surface organic fertilization was performed. Levels of Ca, K, carbon, and humin occured from starting to the ending point of the second cycle of collard cropping period, demonstrating the enrichment of the soil fertility. / O ser humano tem buscado cada vez mais alimentos saud?veis e a conserva??o do meio ambiente. Neste sentido, a agricultura org?nica em suas atividades tem conseguido bons resultados Entretanto, v?rias t?cnicas ainda devem ser aferidas para que pr?tica seja adotada pelos agricultores. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a rota??o couve e milho verde em cultivo intercalar com leguminosas para aduba??o verde, em plantio direto. O trabalho iniciou-se em maio de 2003 com rota??o couve-milho-couve por dois anos no SIPA (Sistema Integrado de Produ??o Agroecol?gica, Serop?dica, RJ). As leguminosas utilizadas foram Mucuna deeringiana e Crotalaria spectabilis em cons?rcio com a couve; C. juncea e M. pruriens com milho. Aduba??o em cobertura com cama de avi?rio nas doses equivalentes a 0 e 200 kg ha-1 de N na 6a e 16a colheita (100 kg em cada cobertura) em 2003 e 0 e 100 kg ha-1 de N na 10a colheita em 2004 nos cultivos de couve. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso, em fatorial 3 x 2, com quatro repeti??es. Os tratamentos foram conservados nas mesmas parcelas durante os tr?s cultivos. Na couve, foram analisados o n?mero de folhas, produtividade, ?rea foliar especifica, ?ndice de ?rea foliar e an?lise nutricional. No milho produtividade, n?mero de espigas e estado nutricional. No segundo ano de cultivo de couve foi realizada an?lise qu?mica e fracionamento qu?mico do solo. Nas leguminosas determinouse a biomassa produzida, teor de nutrientes e taxa de fixa??o biol?gica de nitrog?nio (FBN). Nos cultivos consorciados de couve as leguminosas M deeringiana e C. spectabilis aportaram cerca de 1,5 Mg ha-1 de mat?ria seca, entretanto a FBN foi significativamente maior para as esp?cies de Crotalaria spp. No milho as leguminosas promoveram aporte significativo de mat?ria seca, destacando-se M. pruriens sobre C. juncea com produtividades de 2,8 e 5,6 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. A presen?a das leguminosas em cons?rcio com a couve promoveram aumentos no n?mero de folhas e na produtividade em 2003 e 2004. As folhas de couve em 2004, nos tratamentos com M. pruriens, eram maiores e mais t?rgidas, al?m de estarem em melhor estado nutricional. A aduba??o em cobertura na couve aumentou a produtividade, n?mero de folhas, ?ndice de ?rea foliar e ?rea foliar espec?fica. As plantas de milho aproveitaram a aduba??o residual de 2003 na couve, mas m?o foi detectado efeito residual das leguminosas. Nutricionalmente as plantas de milho se encontravam deficientes em nitrog?nio, indicando que o efeito residual, tanto da aduba??o em cobertura e aduba??o verde, n?o era suficiente para suprir a cultura. Houve aumento no teor de carbono do solo no manejo com aduba??o verde e com aduba??o em cobertura com cama de avi?rio. Houve prefer?ncia na forma??o de huminas e ?cido h?mico, e maiores teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg nos locais onde foi realizada aduba??o org?nica em cobertura. Do in?cio para o final do segundo ciclo de couve houve aumento nos teores de Ca, K, carbono e humina, demonstrando o enriquecimento da fertilidade do solo.