Effect of conservation practices on soil moisture and maize (Zea mays L.) cropping in the semi-arid northeast of Brazil

The Brazilian semi-arid region has limited production capacity, due to its intrinsic characteristics in relation to vegetation, climate, and soil. Soil cover, a recommended practice for this region, increases infiltration, providing for better use of rainwater, and contributing to crop development by reducing water loss through runoff. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of soil cover in maintaining soil moisture under natural rainfall conditions, as well as to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.) in a non-irrigated system. A field experiment was developed on a representative hillslope of the Alto Ipanema Drainage Basin in the semi-arid zone of the State of Pernambuco. To monitor soil moisture and crop performance, five plots of 4.5 by 11 m were set up, adopting the following treatments: bare soil, maize with cactus pear planted on the contour, soil with natural cover, maize in contour planting with stone microdams associated with mulch, and maize cropping downhill. In each plot, eight PVC access tubes were installed to monitor soil moisture at depths of 0.20 and 0.40 m using a neutron probe device. Maize (AG 1051) was cropped from April to July 2011, with fertilization at sowing and at 30 days after sowing, and harvest at 96 days after sowing. Soil moisture was monitored every two weeks from January to July 2011. The following maize agronomical characteristics were evaluated: stem height (ALT), height of the first ear (ALTE), basal stem diameter (DC), ear diameter with husk (SD) and diameter without husk (DS), number of rows of kernels (FIL), number of kernels (GR), ear length with husk (CP) and without husk (CS), ear weight with husk (PC) and without husk (PS), and weight of fresh matter (VM) and dry matter (DM) of ground maize. The conservation treatments (maize in contour planting with stone microdams associated with mulch, and maize with cactus pear planted on the contour) enhanced soil moisture and the dry matter of the maize grain, compared to treatment with downhill planting. This highlights the importance of soil water availability in meeting maize water requirements under a non-irrigated system. Hence, the treatments of maize in contour planting with stone microdams associated with mulch, and maize with cactus pear planted on the contour operate efficiently in reducing water loss when compared to bare soil conditions, improving the use of rainwater and increasing grain yield.

neutron probe; soil cover; natural rainfall