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

Continuous land cultivation with mono-cropping systems tends to promote soil degradation and increase the incidence of crop diseases, pests, and weeds, which in turn, reduces crop yield potential. A long-term research project was initiated to look into various aspects of sustainable agricultural systems. The project focuses on crop rotation and other alternatives to generating long-term profitability. Part of this project is dedicated to the study of soil fertility management under these systems. Two experiments, one aimed at the production of fiber and the other at grain production, each containing seven different cropping systems, were initiated in 2008.

After six seasons of study, results show that soybean and maize grain yield have not varied along years in response to the different rotation in use, although a significant difference was observed last season (2014) between two treatments: soybean/fallow under conventional tillage (2.8 t/ha) versus soybean/maize (second crop) under no-tillage (3.3 t/ha). Regarding maize yield, no difference was observed. Another significant difference was detected for cotton yield in response to crop rotation: cotton/millet (1.9 t/ha) versus cotton/millet/soybean/sunhemp/maize/brachiaria (2.2 t/ha).

The intensification of the farming system with the soybean and corn (second crop) sequence is a reality for half of the Cerrado area. This is putting pressure on the development of new shorter-term soybean varieties that are able to benefit maize through an earlier seeding date. More conclusive results from this long-term project will be possible with time.