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The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of planting spatial arrangements between the cowpea and beet crops in intercropping and of cowpea population densities on the crop’s productivity and in the agro-economic efficiency of the association at two growing seasons. The experimental design was of randomised blocks with the treatments arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, in four replications. The first factor was constituted by three spatial arrangements between the component cultures (2:2, 3:3 and 4:4), formed by beet rows alternated with cowpea rows, while the second factor was constituted by the population densities of cowpea: 40, 60, 80 and 100% of the recommended population in single crop (RDSC). The production and its components were evaluated in the beet and cowpea. Apart from these characteristics, the following agro-economic indicators were also determined for each treatment: system productivity index (SPI), the land equivalent coefficient (LEC), and the monetary equivalent ratio (MER). The maximum production of commercial beet roots was obtained with 15.60 t ha-1 productivity at density of 61.82% of RDSC within the 4:4 arrangement, while the maximum yield of cowpea green grains of 2.23 t ha-1 was reached at density of 79.57% of RDSC within 2:2 spatial arrangement. The productivities of beet roots of extra A, extra AA and great types decreased with increasing cowpea population density, without any influence of the tested spatial arrangements. The maximum mean productivity of cowpea green pods of 1.74 t ha-1 was obtained at density of 87.47% of RDSC, reached within 2:2 spatial arrangement. The maximum economic efficiency of the cowpea-beet intercropping was obtained with MER of 1.11 at cowpea density of 100% of RDSC, irrespective of the spatial arrangement and growing season. RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de arranjos espaciais de plantio entre as culturas do caupi e beterraba em consórcio e de densidades populacionais de caupi na produtividade das culturas e na eficiência econômica do sistema em duas estações de cultivo. O delineamento experimental usado foi em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, em quatro repetições. O primeiro fator foi constituído por três arranjos espaciais entre as culturas componentes (2:2, 3:3 e 4:4), formados pelas linhas de caupi alternadas com as linhas de beterraba e o segundo fator pelas densidades populacionais do caupi: 40, 60, 80 e 100% da densidade recomendada em cultura solteira (DRCS). As produções e seus componentes foram avaliados na beterraba e no feijão caupi. Além dessas características, também foram determinados os seguintes indicadores agroeconômicos para cada tratamento: índice de produtividade do sistema (IPS), coeficiente equivalente de terra (CET) e índice de equivalência monetária (IEM). A produção máxima de raízes comerciais de beterraba foi obtida com a produtividade de 15,60 t ha-1 na densidade de caupi de 61,82% da DRCS no arranjo 4:4, enquanto o rendimento máximo de grãos verdes de caupi de 2,23 t ha-1 foi alcançado na densidade de 79,57% da DRCS no arranjo espacial de plantio 2:2. As produtividades de raízes de beterraba dos tipos extra A, extra AA e grande diminuíram com o aumento da densidade populacional do caupi, sem qualquer influência dos arranjos espaciais testados. A produtividade média máxima de vagens de caupi verde de 1,74 t ha-1 foi obtida na densidade de 87,47% do DRCS, alcançada dentro do arranjo espacial 2:2. A eficiência econômica máxima do consórcio de caupi-beterraba foi alcançada com um IEM de 1,11 na densidade de caupi de 100% do DRCS, independentemente do arranjo espacial e da estação de cultivo.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a tuberous vegetable that is under experimentation in the vegetable production system in Rio Grande do Norte state (Brazil). It is quite demanding, in nutritional terms. One of the alternatives to meet this need is green manuring using spontaneous species of the Caatinga biome. The aim of the present work was to optimize the agro-biological performance and economic profitability of the beetroot 'Early Wonder', fertilized with different doses of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb.) in this semi-arid environment. Hairy woodrose is a spontaneous species of the Caatinga biome that is widely distributed, being found in forests, fences, forest clearings and fields, growing in soils of different textures, producing biomass with a high content of macronutrients. This material was collected from spontaneous vegetation, native to the region, and used as green manure.The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with four treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of four amounts of hairy woodrose biomass incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 of dry matter). The following agronomic characteristics were evaluated in each beetroot treatment: plant height, fresh mass of shoots, number of leaves per plant, dry mass of shoots and dry mass of roots, total and commercial root productivity, and root productivity classified into scrap and extra roots, extra A roots, extra AA and great roots. Apart from these characteristics, the following economic indicators were also determined for each treatment: gross income, net income, rate of return and profit margin. The maximum agro-biological efficiency of beet root productivity (22.68 t ha-1) was obtained from 44.92 t ha-1 of hairy woodrose biomass added to the soil. The maximum economic efficiency of the yield of beet roots was achieved as a net income of AU$2,491.00 (R$6,406.36) ha-1, provided by the production of 22.04 t ha-1 of commercial roots, using 37.03 t ha-1 of hairy woodrose biomass incorporated into the soil. The use of hairy woodrose as green manure presents agro-economic feasibility in beet cultivation in this semi-arid environment.

Intercropping system and the use of green manure with spontaneous species has been an alternative farming method applied to the productive sector of vegetables in the northeastern semi-arid region. The objective of this work was to determine which amount of Calotropis procera must be incorporated into the soil to provide the highest productive performance of the component crops and increase the profitability of the carrot and cowpea intercropping. The experimental design used was randomized complete blocks with five replicates. The treatments consisted of four amounts of C. procera incorporated into the soil: 10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis. The characteristics evaluated in this intercropping system were: commercial productivity of carrot roots, yield of cowpea green grains, land equivalent ratios for component crops and for the intercropped system, score of the canonical variable of the association, and the economic indicators of gross income, net income, rate of return, and net profit margin. The maximum agronomic efficiency of the carrot x cowpea intercropping was reached at the land equivalent ratio of 1.12, using 43.39 t ha-1 of C. procera biomass incorporated in the soil, while the maximum economic efficiency of the carrot and cowpea crops association was obtained at the net income of R$ 17,856.43 ha-1, in the amount of 40.60 t ha-1 of C. procera biomass added to the soil. RESUMO Sistema consorciado e uso de adubação verde com espécies espontâneas tem sido um método alternativo de cultivo aplicado ao setor produtivo de hortaliças na região semiárida nordestina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar qual quantidade de Calotropis procera deve ser incorporada ao solo para proporcionar o melhor desempenho produtivo das culturas componentes e aumentar a rentabilidade do consórcio de cenoura e caupi. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos completos casualizados com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro quantidades de C. procera incorporadas ao solo: 10, 25, 40 e 55 t ha-1, em base seca. As características avaliadas neste sistema consorciado foram: produtividade comercial de raízes de cenoura, produtividade de grãos verdes de caupi, índices de uso eficiente da terra das culturas componentes e do consórcio, escore da variável canônica da associação e os indicadores econômicos renda bruta, renda líquida, taxa de retorno e margem de lucro líquido. A máxima eficiência agronômica do consórcio cenoura x caupi foi alcançada no índice de uso eficiente da terra de 1,12, utilizando-se 43,39 t ha-1 de biomassa de C. procera incorporada ao solo, enquanto a eficiência econômica máxima da associação cenoura x caupi foi obtida com a renda líquida de R$ 17.856,43 ha-1, na quantidade de 40,60 t ha-1 de biomassa de C. procera adicionada ao solo.

Green manuring is an important management strategy in tuberous vegetable production systems, since it improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and, consequently, increases in crop productivity and ecosystem balance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the agro-economic efficiency of carrot cultivation as a function of Calotropis procera biomass amounts incorporated into the soil during two growing seasons in a semiarid environment. The experiments were conducted in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks, with four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of four C. procera biomass amounts (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1) incorporated into the soil. In each experiment, one plot with carrot without fertilization (control) was planted, for the purpose of comparison. The characteristics evaluated in the carrot were productivities of total and commercial roots, classified productivity of roots and production economic indicators. The maximum productivity of carrot roots of 35.90 t ha-1 was possible with the incorporation of 47.60 t ha-1 of C. procera biomass into the soil. The maximum net income of R$ 33.744,07 ha-1 in the cultivation of this vegetable it was achieved with the addition of the C. procera biomass amount to the soil of 42.81 t ha-1. The return rates obtained for the carrot cultivation in these optimized quantities were 1.53 and 1.28, respectively, of those achieved in the control treatment (without fertilization). A adubação verde é uma importante estratégia de manejo em sistemas de produção de hortaliças tuberosas, pois melhora as propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo e, consequentemente, aumenta as produtividades das culturas e equilíbrio dos ecossistemas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência agroeconômica do cultivo de cenoura em função de quantidades de biomassa de Calotropis procera incorporadas ao solo ao longo de duas estações de cultivos em ambiente semiárido. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro quantidades de biomassa de C. procera (20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1) incorporadas ao solo. Em cada experimento, foi plantada uma parcela de cenoura sem adubação (controle), para fins de comparação. As características avaliadas na cenoura foram produtividades de raízes total e comercial, produtividade de raízes classificadas e indicadores econômicos de produção. A produtividade máxima de raízes de cenoura de 35,90 t ha-1 foi possível com a incorporação no solo de 47,60 t ha-1 de biomassa de C. Procera. A renda líquida máxima de R$ 33.744,07 ha-1 no cultivo desta hortaliça foi alcançada com a adição da quantidade de biomassa ao solo de 42,81 t ha-1. As taxas de retorno obtidas para o cultivo de cenoura nessas quantidades otimizadas foram de 1,53 e 1,28, respectivamente, das alcançadas no tratamento controle (sem fertilização). &nbsp

One of the biggest challenges in intercropping of two or more crops is to maintain their productivity as that of their sole counterparts. In order to obtain sustainable intercropping systems in a semi-arid environment, this study evaluated the agro-economic advantage and sustainability of intercropped systems of carrot and cowpea, optimizing the green manuring and spatial arrangements. Experiments were conducted in the period from July to October 2017 and 2018, using a randomized complete block design with the treatments arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with four replications. Treatments included four amounts of M. aegyptia incorporated into the soil (20, 35, 50, and 65 t ha-1 on dry basis) with three spatial arrangements (2:2, 3:3, and 4:4) between the components cultures formed from cowpea rows alternated with carrot rows. The agro-economic advantage indices evaluated in the intercropping systems were: land equivalent ratio (LER), area-time equivalent ratio (ATER), score of the canonical variable (Z), actual yield loss (AYL), intercropping advantage (IA), gross income (GI), net income (NI), rate of return (RR), and profit margin (PM). The highest agro-economic advantages of the carrot and cowpea intercropping were obtained for LER, ATER, NI, and RR of 2.60, 4.16, US$ 8,720.99 ha-1, and US$ 2.21, respectively, for M. aegyptia biomass amounts of 46.42, 47.82, 32.60 and 31.51t ha-1 added to the soil. The 2: 2 spatial arrangement was the one with the best productive performance, with higher net income and rate of return in the intercropping of carrot-cowpea.

The introduction of new crops in northeastern Brazil, associated with the use of the green manure, can become an alternative for family farmers. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the effect of green manuring with M. aegyptia L. on the agro-economic efficiency of radish production. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with four treatments and five replicates; the treatments were composed of four doses of M. aegyptia (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis) incorporated into the soil in three cropping periods. In radish plants, we evaluated plant height, fresh and dry mass of shoots, total and commercial productivity of roots, productivity of scrap roots, dry mass of roots and root diameter. The economic indicators gross income, net income, rate of return and profit margin were used to evaluate the agro-economic efficiency of the system. The maximum agronomic efficiency was reached with a commercial root productivity of 7.86 t ha-1 and the addition of 49.29 t ha-1 of green manure. The maximum economic efficiency was obtained with a net income of 11,955.46 R$ ha-1 when a green manure dose of 46.00 t ha-1 was added. The use of M. aegyptia as green manure is economically viable in the production of radish in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. A introdução de novas culturas no nordeste do Brasil associada com o uso da adubação verde pode tornar-se uma alternativa para os agricultores familiares. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da adubação verde com M. aegyptia L. na eficiência agroeconômica da produção de rabanete. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições; os tratamentos foram compostos por quatro doses de M. aegyptia (20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1 em base seca) incorporadas ao solo em três períodos de cultivos. Em plantas de rabanete foram avaliadas altura de plantas, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, produtividade de raízes total e comercial, produtividade de raízes refugo, massa seca de raízes e diâmetro de raízes. Os indicadores econômicos renda bruta, renda líquida, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade foram utilizadas para avaliar a eficiência agroeconômica do sistema. A eficiência agronômica máxima foi alcançada com a produtividade comercial de raízes de 7,86 t ha-1, e adição de 49,29 t ha-1 do adubo verde. A eficiência econômica máxima foi obtida com um lucro líquido de 11.955,46 R$ ha-1, quando adicionada a dose de adubo verde de 46,00 t ha-1 de adubo verde. O uso de M. aegyptia como adubo verde é economicamente viável na produção de rabanete na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil.

The use of a cropping system that provides producers with better land use, higher productivity per unit area, greater diversification in production, and, consequently, agro-economic advantages, is the choice of many vegetable producers. To meet the demands of these producers, experiments were conducted under field conditions in a semi-arid environment to evaluate the production and agro-economic benefits of carrot x vegetable cowpea associations as a function of green manuring with biomass of Merremia aegyptia L., a spontaneous species from the Caatinga biome, in different spatial arrangements at two cropping years. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with treatments arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with four replications. The first studied factor was the amounts of M. aegyptia biomass (20, 35, 50, and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis), while the second factor was the spatial planting arrangements (2:2, 3:3, and 4:4), corresponding to rows of carrot alternated with rows of vegetable cowpea. The production optimization of the carrot and cowpea cultures was achieved with the incorporation of the M. aegyptia biomass amounts of 32.69 and 50.17 t ha-1, respectively, and agro-economic optimization of the entire intercropping system was obtained at a biomass amount of 34.66 t ha-1. The spatial planting arrangement of 2:2 resulted in the greatest agro-economic efficiency of the crop association.

Two experiments were conducted in different areas of the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, located in Lagoinha district, 20 km from Mossoró municipality (RN), in the period from June to September of the years of 2015 and 2016 with the objective of evaluating and estimating agronomic and economic feasibility indicators of cowpea-vegetable as a function of amounts of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb.) biomass incorporated into the soil in two crops. Treatments consisted of the following amounts of hairy woodrose biomass: 20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis. The cultivar of cowpea-vegetable planted was “BRS Itaim”. The evaluated characteristics were: length of green pods, number of green pods per m2, productivity and dry mass of green pods, weight of 100 green grains, yield and dry mass of green grains. In addition, the following economic indicators were evaluated: gross income, net income, rate of return and profitability index. The optimization of the agronomic efficiency of the cowpea-vegetable was obtained in the amount of 45 t ha-1 of hairy woodrose biomass incorporated into the soil and the optimization of the agroeconomic viability of the cowpea-vegetable cultivation was reached in the quantity of hairy woodrose biomass of 37.70 t ha-1 added to the ground. The first growing crop yielded better agroeconomic efficiency of cowpea-vegetable than the second crop. The use of hairy woodrose as green manure is economically feasible and recommended to the farmer in the production of cowpea-vegetable under the evaluated conditions. RESUMO Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em diferentes áreas da Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, localizada no distrito de Alagoinha, a 20 km da cidade de Mossoró, RN, no período de junho a setembro dos anos de 2015 e 2016, com o objetivo de avaliar e estimar indicadores de viabilidade agronômica e econõmica do caupi-hortaliça em função de quantidades de biomassa de jitirana (Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb.) incorporadas ao solo em duas safras. Os tratamentos consistiram das seguintes quantidades de biomassa de jitirana: 20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1 em base seca. A cultivar de caupi-hortaliça plantada foi a “BRS Itaim”. As características avaliadas foram: comprimento de vagens verdes, número de vagens verdes por m2, produtividade e massa seca de vagens verdes, peso de 100 grãos verdes, rendimento e massa seca de grãos verdes. Além disso, foram avaliados os seguintes indicadores econômicos: receita bruta, receita líquida, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade. A otimização da eficiência agronômica do caupi-hortaliça foi obtida na quantidade de 45 t ha-1 de biomassa de jitirana incorporada ao solo e a otimização da viabilidade agroeconômica do cultivo do caupi foi alcançada na quantidade de biomassa de jitirana de 37,70 t ha-1 adicionada ao solo. A primeira safra de cultivo rendeu melhor eficiência agroeconômica do caupi do que a segunda safra. O uso da jitirana como adubo verde é economicamente viável e recomendado ao agricultor no cultivo do caupi-hortaliça nas condições avaliadas.

Intercropping systems of beet and green cowpea are beginning to be implemented in the northeastern semi-arid region in Brazil. The great challenge is to know if there is agro-economic efficiency in these systems when fertilized with organic matter produced by spontaneous species of the Caatinga biome. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of green manuring using different amounts of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia) in the association of beet with green cowpea under the semi-arid conditions. The experiment was carried out at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, rural area of Mossoró, RN, Brazil, in the period of September-December 2015, in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of hairy woodrose amounts incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40, 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis). The cultivars of beet and green cowpea planted were ‘Early Wonder’ and ‘BRS Itaim’, recommended for the semi-arid conditions of the Brazilian Northeast. The best agro-economic performance for intercropping system of beet and green cowpea was obtained with 55 t ha-1 of hairy woodrose incorporated in the soil. The use of the hairy woodrose species as green manure is agronomically viable in intercropped systems with beet and green cowpea. RESUMO Sistemas consorciados de beterraba x caupi-hortaliças estão começando a ser implantados no semiárido nordestino. O grande desafio é saber se existe ou não eficiência agroeconômica nesses sistemas quando adubados com matéria orgânica produzida por espécies espontâneas do bioma Caatinga. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da adubação verde utilizando diferentes quantidades de jitirana (Merremia aegyptia) na associação de beterraba com caupi-hortaliça nas condições do semiárido. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, zona rural de Mossoró, RN, no período de setembro-dezembro de 2015, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de quantidades de jitirana incorporadas ao solo (10, 25, 40, 55 t ha-1 em base seca). As cultivares de beterraba e do caupi-hortaliça plantadas foram ‘Early Wonder’ e ‘BRS Itaim’, recomendadas para as condições semiáridas do Nordeste brasileiro. O melhor desempenho agroeconômico para o consórcio de beterraba e caupi-hortaliça foi obtido com 55 t ha-1 de jitirana incorporada ao solo. O uso da espécie jitirana como adubo verde é agronomicamente viável em sistemas consorciados de beterraba com caupi-hortaliça.

Green manuring with spontaneous species from Caatinga biome has become an important strategy in production vegetables. One of the great challenges in tuberous vegetables production is to define an optimized quantity that provides a high productive yield with economic efficiency of production system. The objective of this study was to optimize agronomically and economically the production and its components of tuberous crops of beetroot and radish when manured with different amounts of green manures biomass, Merremia aegyptia and Calotropis procera from Caatinga biome, in two cropping seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments and five replications. Treatments consisted of green manures amounts (16, 26, 36, 46, 56 t ha-1). The maximum agronomic efficiency of beetroot and radish was obtained with incorporation of 49.87 and 39.43 t ha-1 of M. aegyptia and C. procera, respectively, and the production maximum economic efficiency was reached when 36.14 and 36.48 t ha-1, respectively, of biomass of these green manures were added to the soil. The returns rate obtained in beetroot and radish cultivation using the manures optimized amounts were 1.42 and 1.32 reais obtained for each real invested in the production of these tuberous. El abono verde con especies espontáneas del bioma de Caatinga se ha convertido en una estrategia importante en la producción de hortalizas. Uno de los grandes desafíos en la producción de tuberosas es definir una cantidad optimizada que brinde un alto rendimiento productivo con eficiencia económica del sistema de producción. El objetivo de este estudio fue optimizar agronómica y económicamente la producción y sus componentes de cultivos tuberosas de remolacha y rábano cuando se abonan con diferentes cantidades de biomasa de los abonos verdes, Merremia aegyptia y Calotropis procera del bioma Caatinga, en dos temporadas de cultivo. El diseño experimental fue un bloque completo al azar con cinco tratamientos y cinco repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en cantidades de los abonos verdes (16, 26, 36, 46, 56 t ha-1). La máxima eficiencia agronómica de remolacha y rábano se obtuvo con la incorporación de 49,87 y 39,43 t ha-1 de M. aegyptia y C. procera, respectivamente, y la máxima eficiencia económica de producción se alcanzó cuando 36,14 y 36,48 t ha-1, respectivamente, de biomasa de estos abonos verdes se agregaron al suelo. La rentabilidad obtenida en el cultivo de remolacha y rábano utilizando las cantidades optimizadas de abonos fue de 1,42 y 1,32 reales obtenidos por cada real invertido en la producción de estas tuberosas. A adubação verde com espécies espontâneas do bioma Caatinga tem-se tornado uma importante estratégia na produção de hortaliças. Um dos grandes desafios na produção de tuberosas é definir uma quantidade otimizada que proporcione um alto rendimento produtivo com eficiência econômica do sistema produção. O objetivo deste estudo foi otimizar agronômica e economicamente a produção e seus componentes das culturas tuberosas de beterraba e rabanete adubadas com diferentes quantidades de biomassa dos adubos verdes, Merremia aegyptia e Calotropis procera do bioma Caatinga, em duas safras. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quantidades equitativas dos adubos verdes (16, 26, 36, 46, 56 t ha-1). A máxima eficiência agronômica da beterraba e rabanete foi obtida com a incorporação de 49,87 e 39,43 t ha-1 de M. aegyptia e C. procera, respectivamente, e a máxima eficiência econômica da produção foi alcançada quando 36,14 e 36,48 t ha-1, respectivamente, de biomassa desses adubos verdes foram adicionados ao solo. As taxas de retorno obtidas no cultivo da beterraba e rabanete com as quantidades otimizadas de adubos foram de 1,42 e 1,32 reais obtidos para cada real investido na produção dessas tuberosas.

Green manuring and the spatial arrangement of planting intercropped crops are manageable factors to increase the bioeconomic effectiveness of intercropped systems. Therefore, the object of this study was to work out the bio-economic efficacy in cowpea-radish association under diverse Calotropis procera biomass amounts and planting arrangements in two cultivation seasons through biological and economic indices. The research was conducted in a design of randomized complete blocks with four repetitions. The treatments were made of combination of four C. procera biomass amounts placed into the soil (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1) with three cowpea-radish planting arrangements (2:2, 3:3 and 4:4). The biological indices, land equivalent ratio (LER), area-time equivalency ratio (ATER), actual yield loss (AYL), and system productivity index (SPI) and the economic indicators gross revenue (GR), net revenue (NR), rate of return (RR) and profit margin (PM) were evaluated to express the bio-economic efficacy of the cowpea-radish association. The greatest biological efficiencies of the cowpea-radish association were attained with LER and ATER of 1.75 and 1.25; AYL and SPI of 1.48 and 13.15 t ha-1, respectively, in the amount of 62 t ha-1 of C. procera biomass in the planting arrangements 2: 2 and 3: 3. The largest net economic revenue (NR) of 16,382.85 R$ ha-1 was attained in the amount of 52 t ha-1 of C. procera in the planting arrangement 3: 3. La fertilización verde y la disposición espacial de la siembra de cultivos intercalados son factores manejables para aumentar la eficacia bioeconómica de los sistemas intercalados. Por lo tanto, el objeto de esta investigación fue evaluar la efectividad bioeconómica del cultivo intercalado de caupí y rábano bajo diferentes cantidades de biomasa de Calotropis procera y arreglos de siembra en dos temporadas de cultivo utilizando índices biológicos e indicadores económicos. La investigación se realizó en un diseño de bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos consistieron en combinar cuatro cantidades de biomasa de C. procera incorporadas al suelo (20, 35, 50 y 65 t ha-1) con tres arreglos de siembra de caupí y rábano (2: 2, 3: 3 y 4: 4). Los índices biológicos, razón equivalente de tierra (RET), razón de equivalencia área-tiempo (REAT), pérdida de rendimiento real (PRR) e índice de productividad del sistema (IPS), e los indicadores económicos de ingresos brutos (IB), ingreso neto (IN), tasa de retorno (TR) y el índice de rentabilidad (IR) fueron evaluados para expresar la efectividad bioeconómica de la asociación entre caupí y rábano. Las mayores eficiencias biológicas de los cultivos intercalados de caupí y rábano se obtuvieron con RET y REAT de 1,75 y 1,25; PRR e IPS de 1,48 y 13,15 t ha-1, respectivamente, en la cantidad de biomasa de 62 t ha-1 de C. procera en arreglos de plantación 2: 2 y 3: 3. El mayor retorno económico neto (IN) de 16.382,85 Se obtuvo R$ ha-1 en la cantidad de 52 t ha-1 de C. procera en el arreglo de siembra 3: 3. A adubação verde e arranjo spatial de plantio das culturas em consórcio são fatores manipuláveis para aumentar a eficácia bioeconômica dos sistemas consorciados. Portanto, o objeto desta pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia bioeconômica do consórcio de caupi e rabanete sob diversas quantidades de Calotropis procera e arranjos de plantio em duas safras de cultivos por meio de índices biológicos e indicadores econômicos. A pesquisa foi conduzida em blocos completos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação de quatro quantidades de C. procera adicionadas ao solo (20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1) com três arranjos de plantio de caupi e rabanete (2: 2, 3: 3 e 4: 4). Os índices biológicos, razão equivalente de terra (RET), razão de equivalência de área-tempo (REAT), perda de rendimento real (PRR) e índice de produtividade do sistema (IPS), e os indicadores econômicos de receita bruta (RB), receita líquida (RL), taxa de retorno (TR) e índice de lucratividade (IL) foram avaliados para expressar a eficácia bioeconômica da associação caupi e rabanete. As maiores eficiências biológicas do consórcio caupi e rabanete foram obtidas com RET e REAT de 1,75 e 1,25; PRR e IPS de 1,48 e 13,15 t ha-1, respectivamente, na quantidade de 62 t ha-1 de C. procera nos arranjos de plantio 2: 2 e 3: 3. O maior retorno econômico líquido (NI) de 16.382,85 R $ ha-1 foi obtido na quantidade de 52 t ha-1 de C. procera no arranjo de plantio 3: 3.

The triumph of the crops association with vegetables in semi-arid environment depends on crop types grown and adequate manipulation of treatment-factors tested such as fertilization, plant population, among others. Thus, this investigation aimed to valuate the bio-economic return of beet-rocket strip-intercropping in diverse balanced quantities of hairy woodrose (M. aegyptia) and roostertree (C. procera) biomass (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on base dry) and in different rocket plant population (40, 60, 80 and 100% of that recommended population in monocropping - RPM), associated with the beet population of 100% of the RPM, in two years of cultivation. The bio-economic indices: land equivalent ratio (LER), intercropping advantage (IA), actual yield loss (AYL), productive efficiency index (PEI), canonical variable score (Z), gross return (GR) and net return (NR), rate of return (RR) and profit margin (PM) were assessed. The greatest bio-economic returns of beet-rocket strip-intercropping were of: 1.87; 7.44; 1.90; 0.98; 2.52; 85,827.79 and 65,425.01 R$ ha-1; 4.24 R$ for each real invested, and 77.02%, respectively, for LER, IA, AYL, PEI, Z, GR, NR, RR and PM in the biomass quantity of 65 t ha-1 of hairy woodrose and roostertree, in the rocket population of 100% of the RPM (a million plants ha-1). The hairy woodrose and roostertree biomass use from Caatinga biome proved to be a viable technology for growers who practice the cultivation of beet-rocket strip-intercropping in semi-arid environment. El éxito de la asociación de cultivos con hortalizas en ambiente semiárido depende del tipo de cultivos que se cultiven y del manejo adecuado de los factores de tratamiento probados, como fertilización, población de plantas, entre otros. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el retorno bioeconómico del cultivo intercalado en franjas de remolacha y rúgula en diferentes cantidades equilibradas de biomasa de campanilla (M. aegyptia) y algodón de seda (C. procera) (20, 35, 50 y 65 t ha-1 en base seca) y en diferentes poblaciones de rúgula (40, 60, 80 y 100% de la población de monocultivo recomendada - PMR), asociada a una población de remolacha del 100% de la PMR, en dos años de cultivo. Los índices bioeconómicos: razón equivalente de tierra (RET), ventaja del consorcio (VC), pérdida de rendimiento real (PRR), índice de eficiencia productiva (IEP), puntuación de variable canónica (Z), rendimiento bruto (RB) y rendimiento neto (RN), tasa de rendimiento (TR) y el margen de beneficio (MB). Los mayores rendimientos bioeconómicos del cultivo intercalado de remolacha y rúgula fueron: 1,87; 7,44; 1,90; 0,98; 2,52; 85.827,79 y 65.425,01 R$ ha-1; R$ 4.24 por cada real invertido y 77.02%, respectivamente, para RET, VC, PRR, IEP, Z, RB, RN, TR y MB en la cantidad balanceada de biomasa de 65 t ha-1 de campanilla y algodón de seda, en la población de rúgula del 100% del PMR (un millón de plantas ha-1). El uso de biomasa de campanilla y algodón de seda del bioma de Caatinga demostró ser una tecnología viable para los productores que practican el cultivo de remolacha y rúgula intercalados en franjas en ambiente semiárido. O êxito da associação de culturas com hortaliças em ambiente semiárido depende do tipo de culturas cultivadas e da manipulação adequada dos fatores tratamentos testados, tais como, fertilização, população de plantas, entre outros. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o retorno bio-econômico do consórcio em faixas de beterraba e rúcula em diversas quantidades balanceadas de biomassa de jitirana (M. aegyptia) e flor-de-seda (C. procera) (20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1 em base seca) e em diferentes populações de rúcula (40, 60, 80 e 100% da população recomendada em monocultura - PRM), associada à população de beterraba de 100% da PRM, em dois anos de cultivos. Os índices bio-econômicos: razão equivalente de terra (RET), vantagem do consórcio (VC), perda real de rendimento (PRR), índice de eficiência produtiva (IEP), escore da variável canônica (Z), retorno bruto (RB) e retorno líquido (RL), taxa de retorno (TR) e margem de lucro (ML) foram avaliados. Os maiores retornos bio-econômicos do consórcio em faixas de beterraba e rúcula foram de: 1,87; 7,44; 1,90; 0,98; 2,52; 85.827,79 e 65.425,01 R$ ha-1; R$ 4,24 para cada real investido e 77,02%, respectivamente, para RET, VC, PRR, IEP, Z, RB, RL, TR e ML na quantidade balanceada de biomassa de 65 t ha-1 de jitirana e flor-de-seda, na população de rúcula de 100% da PRM (um milhão de plantas ha-1). A utilização da biomassa de jitirana e flor-de-seda do bioma Caatinga mostrou-se uma tecnologia viável para os produtores que praticam o cultivo da beterraba e de rúcula em consórcio em faixas em ambiente semiárido.

The objective of this study was to evaluate combinations of coriander and salad rocket cultivars in bicropping systems intercropped with carrot cultivars in strips under the conditions of Mossoró-RN. The work was conducted at the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes from July to December 2014. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications and treatments arranged in a factorial design with additional treatments of type 2 x 2 x 2 + 2. The treatments consisted of the combinations of two coriander cultivars (Verdão and Português) and two rocket cultivars (Cultivada and Folha Larga), intercropped with two carrot cultivars (Brasília and Esplanada) plus two additional treatments, where the first are the cultivars in monocropping and the second the types of cropping (single and intercropped). We evaluated fresh and dry shoot mass in coriander and rocket and fresh and dry shoot mass as well as dry root mass, commercial and total root productivity, and classified root productivity in carrot. In the intercropping systems we evaluated land equivalent ratio, productive efficiency index, and score of the canonical variable, besides the indicators of economic efficiency (gross income, net income, rate of return and profit margin). Highest agroeconomic efficiency in intercropping systems was achieved with the combination of the coriander cultivar 'Verdão' and the rocket cultivars 'Folha Larga' or 'Cultivada' as well as the carrot cultivars 'Brasília' or 'Esplanada'. Regardless of the tested cultivar combinations, systems with coriander and salad rocket intercropped with carrot showed higher efficiency than monocropping systems. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar combinações de cultivares de coentro e rúcula em bicultivo consorciadas com cultivares de cenoura em faixas, nas condições de Mossoró - RN. O trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes de julho a dezembro de 2014. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições e os tratamentos arranjados em um esquema fatorial com tratamentos adicionais do tipo 2 x 2 x 2 + 2. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de duas cultivares de coentro (Verdão e Português) e duas cultivares de rúcula (Cultivada e Folha Larga), consorciadas com duas cultivares de cenoura (Brasília e da Esplanada), mais dois tratamentos adicionais, onde o primeiro são as cultivares em monocultivo e o segundo os sistemas de cultivo (solteiro e consorciado). Foram avaliadas massa fresca e seca da parte aérea em coentro e rúcula e massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, bem como, massa de raízes seca, produtividade de raízes comercial e total e produtividade de raízes classificadas na cenoura. No sistema de consórcio avaliaram-se: índice de uso eficiente da terra, índice de eficiência produtiva, e escore da variável canônica, além dos indicadores de eficiência econômica (renda bruta, renda líquido, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade). A maior eficiência agroeconômica nos sistemas consorciados foi conseguida com a combinação da cultivar de coentro 'Verdão' e as cultivares de rúcula 'Folha Larga' ou 'Cultivada', bem como, as cultivares de cenoura 'Brasília' ou 'Esplanada'. Independentemente das combinações das cultivares testadas, sistemas com coentro e rúcula em consórcio com cenoura mostraram maior eficiência do que os monocultivos.

The vegetables intercropping practice triumph in family farming depends on several production factors, including the crops involved, green manuring and plant density of component crops. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess whether there is agro-economic viability in the radish-arugula intercropping, in different equitable amounts of M. aegyptia and C. procera biomass (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on base dry) and in diverse arugula population densities (40, 60, 80 and 100% of that recommended density for single crop - RDSC), combined with 100% of the RDSC for radish in two cropping years. The characteristics, the commercial productivity of radish roots and the arugula green mass yield were evaluated and in the intercropped system, the agronomic indices: land equivalent ratio (LER), intercropping advantage (IA), actual yield loss (AYL), productive efficiency index (PEI), score of the canonical variable (Z), and the economic indicators: gross income (GI), net income (NI), rate of return (RR) and profit margin (PM). The greatest agro-economic advantages of the radish-arugula intercropping were achieved with an LER of 1.64, PEI of 0.86, Z of 1.54, GI of R$ 45,543.92 ha-1, NI of R$ 24,662,31 ha-1, RR of R$ 2.20 for each real invested, and PM of 56.37%, respectively, in the combination of 65 t ha-1 of M. aegyptia and C. procera biomass and arugula population density of 100% of the RDSC, corresponding to the density of 1 million plants per hectare. El éxito de la práctica de la asociación de hortalizas en la agricultura familiar depende de varios factores de producción, incluidos los cultivos involucrados, el abono verde y la densidad de plantas de los cultivos que lo componen. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar si existe viabilidad agroeconómica en el consorcio rábano-arugula, en diferentes cantidades equitativas de biomasa de M. aegyptia y C. procera (20, 35, 50 y 65 t ha-1 en base seca) y en diversas densidades de población de rúcula (40, 60, 80 y 100% de la densidad recomendada para un solo cultivo - DRSC), combinada con el 100% del DRSC de rábano en dos años de cultivo. Se evaluaron las características, productividad comercial de las raíces de rábano y la producción de masa verde de arugula y, en el sistema asociado, los índices agronómicos: relación equivalente de tierra (RET), ventaja del consorcio (VC), pérdida real de rendimiento. (PRR), índice de eficiencia productiva (IEP), puntaje de variable canónica (Z) e indicadores económicos: ingreso bruto (RB), ingreso neto (RL), tasa de retorno (TR) e índice de rentabilidad (IL). ​Las mayores ventajas agroeconómicas de la asociación rábano-rúcula se lograron con RET de 1,64, IEP de 0,86, Z de 1,54, RB de R$ 45.543,92 ha-1, RL de R$ 24.662,31 ha-1, TR de R$ 2,20 para cada uno real invertido, e IL de 56,37%, respectivamente, en la combinación de 65 t ha-1 de biomasa de M. aegyptia y C. procera y densidad poblacional de arugula de 100% de la DRCS, correspondiente a la densidad de 1 millón de plantas por hectárea. O sucesso da prática da consorciação de hortaliças na agricultura familiar depende de diversos fatores de produção, incluindo as culturas envolvidas, a adubação verde e a densidade de plantas das culturas componentes. Portanto, o propósito deste trabalho foi avaliar se há viabilidade agroeconômica no consórcio rabanete-rúcula, em distintas quantidades eqüitativas de biomassa de M. aegyptia e C. procera (20, 35, 50 e 65 t ha-1 em base seca) e em diversas densidades populacionais de rúcula (40, 60, 80 e 100% da densidade recomendada para cultivo solteiro - DRCS), combinadas com 100% da DRCS do rabanete em dois anos de cultivos. Foram avaliadas as caracteristicas, produtividade comercial de raízes de rabanete e a produção de massa verde de rúcula e, no sistema consorciado, os índices agronômicos: razão equivalente de terra (RET), vantagem do consórcio (VC), perda real de rendimento (PRR), índice de eficiência produtiva (IEP), escore da variável canônica (Z) e os indicadores econômicos: renda bruta (RB), renda líquida (RL), taxa de retorno (TR) e índice de lucratividade (IL). As maiores vantagens agroeconômicas do consórcio rabanete-rúcula foram alcançadas com RET de 1,64, IEP de 0,86, Z de 1,54, RB de R$ 45.543,92 ha-1, RL de R$ 24.662,31 ha-1, TR de R$ 2,20 para cada real investido, e IL de 56,37%, respectivamente, na combinação de 65 t ha-1 de biomassa de M. aegyptia e C. procera e densidade populacional de rúcula de 100% do DRCS, correspondente à densidade de 1 milhão de plantas por hectare.

Obtaining information about the onion responses to different doses of phosphorus can contribute to optimizing the use of fertilizers and consequently make the activity more profitable with less impact on the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus doses on yield and quality of onion bulbs. The design of the experiment was in a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were seven phosphorus doses 0.00; 33.75; 67.50; 101.25; 135.00 and 168.75 kg ha-1 P2O5. The application of 168.75 kg ha-1 of P2O5 provided the maximum yield commercial of bulbs, gross income, net income, rate of return and profitability rate in onion crops. However, there was no effect on the quality of the bulbs. Key words: Allium cepa L., plant nutrition, fertigation, phosphate fertilizer, pungency.

Silicon is a beneficial element that can mitigate abiotic stresses, such as ammonium toxicity. The objective herein was to evaluate the effects of silicon (Si) on mitigating toxicity caused by excess ammonium in maize plants grown in nutrient solution. An experiment was conducted with maize plants (cultivar DKB 390 VT Pro II) grown in a greenhouse in pots (8 L) in a hydroponic system. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial, consisting of two ammonium concentrations (30 and 60 mmol·L-1) in the absence and presence of Si (10 mmol·L-1), arranged in a completely randomized design with six repetitions. At 28 days after applying the treatments the dry mass of shoots and roots was evaluated, along with accumulation of silicon and nitrogen in the shoots. The use of silicon resulted in increases in the studied variables, regardless of ammonium concentrations. Silicon reduced the effect of toxicity caused by ammonium excess in maize plants, resulting in greater growth and dry matter accumulation.

The integration of research emphasizing sustainable development, employment, income generation and food security has been highlighted in the media. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agro-economic responsiveness of radish associations with cowpea in the presence of different amounts of roostertree, spatial arrangements and agricultural crops. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications, with treatments arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, where the first factor consisted of four amounts of C. procera incorporated in the soil (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis) and the second factor of three spatial arrangements (2:2, 3:3, and 4:4) in two cropping seasons. Radish samples were evaluated for plant height, dry mass of shoots, total and commercial productivity of roots, productivity of scrap roots, and dry mass of roots, while in cowpea, vegetation was assessed for length of green pods, number of pods per square meter, productivity and dry mass of green pods, number of green grains per pod, weight of 100 green grains, and yield and dry mass of green grains. The economic indicators of monetary advantage and modified monetary advantage were used in the evaluation of efficiency. A greater agro-economic responsiveness of the intercropping of radish and cowpea crops was obtained with the incorporation of 56.44 t ha-1 of C. procera. The spatial arrangements of 3:3 and 4:4 had better agronomic and economic responsiveness. The association between radish and cowpea is feasible when the crops are fertilized with C. procera.