Title:	A review of maize-beans and maize-cowpea intercrop systems in the semiarid Northeast Brazil.
Authors:	RAO, M. R. MORGADO, L. B.
Affiliation:	MEKA RAMAMOHAMA RAO, INTERNATIONAL CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SEMI-ARID TROPICS LUIZ BALBINO MORGADO, CPATSA.
Date Issued:	1984
Citation:	Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v. 19, n. 2, p. 179-192, fev. 1984.
Description:	Fifty-one experiments on maize -beans and 34 on maize-cowpea intercropping systems conducted mostly in semiarid Northeast Brazil were analysed to get an understanding of the performance of these intercrops in terms of their productivity as well as stability. Both the intercrop systems produced higher yields over their respective sole crops under a wide range of agroclimates; the average advantage with maize-beans was 32%, while that from maize-cowpea was 41%. The optimum row proportion for maize-beans was one maize: three beans, requiring 59% of sole crop maize population and 75% sole bean population. In maize-cowpea, alternate rows or one maize: two cowpea arrangement with about 50% of sole maize density and 100% of sole cowpea population seemed to be optimum. The intercrops failed less frequently compared to sole crops to meet specified incomes or yields. Sorghum seemed to be a good alternative to the traditional cereal because of its improved and consistent performance. Future research needs are discussed for further yield improvement in these two intercrop system.s
Thesagro:	Feijão Milho Phaseolus Vulgaris Zea Mays Vigna Unguiculata
NAL Thesaurus:	intercropping
Keywords:	Consorciacao Caupi Nordeste Regiao semi-arida Maize bean Cowpea Northeast Semi-arid region
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CPATSA)