MAIZE IN ASSOCIATION AND ROTATION WITH FABACEAE IN ACID SOIL OF THE SAVANNA OF HUIMANGUILLO, TABASCO, MEXICO

Abstract

Associating crops is an alternative to improving the fertility of acid soils in the humid tropics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in rotation and in association with Fabaceae in acid soils of savanna. The treatments were established with a design of a randomized complete block, with four replicates. The variables evaluated in maize were dry matter, grain yield and total nitrogen; in the Fabaceae were fresh matter, dry matter, nodules, total nitrogen and fixed nitrogen. Results show that four genotypes of maize in association had higher grain yield, dry matter and total nitrogen, in relation to control. Maize associated with C. cajan showed higher dry matter production of plant, maize husk and total dry matter. Corn HQ4-C had higher dry matter content, grain and total nitrogen. The native maize had the highest dry matter production. Moreover, the Fabaceae in association presented the highest values in all variables respect to controls not associated. In the maize variety S03 the Fabaceae had the highest number of nodules, total nitrogen and fixed nitrogen.