ABSTRACT
In intercropping between vegetable species, little is known about physiological responses. Thus, getting to know the physiological behavior of these crops is essential to define whether the species are efficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of arugula/nirá intercropping under different arrangements and growing seasons. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, in a split-plot scheme, using the following cultivation arrangements: T1 = arugula monocropping; T2 = two rows of arugula with three rows of nirá (2R:3N); T3 = two rows of arugula with two rows of nirá (2R:2N); T4 = two rows of arugula with one row of nirá (2R:1N), in plots and growing seasons in the subplots (July 24th and September 3rd). We evaluated net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon concentration, water use efficiency, leaf area and productivity. The highest rates of net photosynthesis were obtained in 2R:3N arrangement in the first growing season. Transpiration, stomatal conductance and internal carbon concentration were lower in the second growing season. The intrinsic and instantaneous water-use efficiencies were higher in the second growing season. Arugula monocropping and the 2R:1N arrangement reached similar productivity. The physiological responses of arugula were not influenced by the nirá cultivation arrangements, indicating that the crop can be arranged without harming the efficiency of the photosynthetic process. The 2R:1N intercropping allowed the best productive performance in the first growing season.
Keywords:
Eruca sativa; Allium tuberosum; photosynthesis; physiological behavior