SIEMBRA EN MEZCLA DE HIBRIDOS DE GIRASOL. UNA ALTERNATIVA PARA UN MANEJO AGROECOLOGICO DE LOS RECURSOS

Resumo

Abstract Intercropping can improve resource use and biodiversity. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in three sunflower hybrids sown as pure crop or two hybrid intercrop, traits associate with light use as possible determinants of the higher intercrop productivity. A field experiment was carried out in La Plata, Argentina. Sunflower DK 4040, DK 4050 and Jagüel were sowing pure or mixed in 1:1 ratio. Soil cover (%CGR), plant height and leaf area index (IAF) were evaluated at different development stages, and at maturity, yield, total above ground biomass, harvest index, seed and biomass relative yield total (RYT) were evaluated. Plant height, %CGR and IAF did not differ significantly between treatments. Productivity and relative yields were different between hybrids and a functional relationship was found between potential yield and tolerance to competence. Relative yield total seed and relative yield total biomass values were near 1 and only DK4050 + Jagüel intercrop surpassed lightly the unity that allows to consider sunflower hybrids intercrop as a production alternative with advantages related to the higher divertsity.