Sustainable Production Systems under No-till in the Cerrado of Brazil - Piaui

Continuous cultivation of lands under the same monocropping systems tends to promote soil degradation and increases the incidence of crop diseases, pests, and weeds, which in turn, reduces crop yield potential. This is a long-term research project looking into various aspects of sustainable agricultural systems. The project gives emphasis to crop rotation and other alternatives to generating long-term profitability. This is believed to be instrumental to many farms located throughout the Brazilian Cerrado. Part of this project is dedicated to the study of soil fertility management under these systems. One experiment containing seven different cropping systems involving soybean and maize was initiated in 2011, and results for the first year are still undergoing statistical analysis. Preliminary evaluation of the results suggests good response of grain yield of maize to applied N rates. IPNI-58.