Work

The sowing of Quênia guinea grass within-row and between-row in maize intercropping affects soil health, physiology, and yield of the succeeding soybean

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Integrated production systems are widely adopted to optimize natural resource use while increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, their effects on soil functioning and the subsequent physiological performance of soybean remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of the residue of maize monoculture, Quênia guinea grass ( Panicum maximum cv. BRS Quênia) monoculture, and maize intercropped with Quênia guinea grass established within rows or between rows on soil respiration, microclimate, chemical properties, enzymatic activity, and the physiological performance of soybean grown in succession. A conventional soybean production system without surface crop residues was included as a reference. The experiment was conducted over two growing seasons on a Typic acriferric red latosol (Oxisol) in central Brazil using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Production systems including Quênia guinea grass, either in monoculture or intercropped with maize, reduced soil temperature and improved soil chemical and biological properties, increasing soil organic matter, total organic carbon, and enzymatic activity compared with the conventional system. These responses were associated with soybean physiological performance, as indicated by higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and leaf chlorophyll index, as well as greater shoot biomass accumulation and grain yield. Quênia guinea grass proved to be an effective cover crop regardless of the sowing method, promoting soil health, improving soybean performance, contributing to the sustainability of cropping systems, and potentially enhancing their resilience to climate change.

Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103386