Stylosanthes guianensis Sw. (FABACEAE) ASSOCIATED WITH Zea mays L., FOR FODDER USE IN A VERTISOL SOIL

Abstract

In an associated crop, maize-stylosanthes (Zea mays L. and Stylosanthes guianensis Sw.) in bands and relay, the yield and nutritional value was estimated: protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ash, of the S. guianensis biomass, with or without nitrogenous fertilization. A factorial arrangement nested in a completely random block design with four treatments for the legume was used: T1) in band with fertilization 100N-60P-60K; T2) in band with fertilization 00N-60P-60K; T3) in relay with fertilization 100N-60P-60K and T4) in relay with fertilization 00N-60P60K, and four repetitions. The yield and nutritional value of the aerial maize biomass was also estimated. The crop in relay showed higher production (p<0.05) of legume DMS (6,702 kg ha^-1) than the mixed crop in band (3,264 kg ha^-1), independently of the dose of fertilization applied. The protein content both in relay and in band was statistically better (p<0.05) with full fertilization (NPK): 12.77 % versus 9.35 %, however, the NDF, ADF and the ashes were not statistically different. The maize yield was 12.98 t ha-¹ of DM and 65.30 t ha^-1 of green matter.