Cultivation arrangements for taioba under a banana orchard

• Autor(a) principal: Alves, Celso Luiz de Paschôa
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Oliveira, Fábio Luiz de, Mendes, Tiago Pacheco, Souza, Denilson Almeida de, Silva, Josimar Aleixo da, Zucoloto, Moises, Dalvi, Leandro Pin
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Semina. Ciências Agrárias (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/semagrarias/article/view/48346
• topic: PANCs; Planting densities; Polyculture; Shading; Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.).; Densidades de plantio; PANCs; Policultivo; Sombreamento; Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.).

Research on biodiversity management in production systems involves various aspects, including selecting optimal population arrangements for cultivated plants. The utilization of unconventional vegetables, such as taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott), in the diversification of production systems offers a promising alternative to enhance food security and income generation for producers. However, limited information exists in the literature regarding its management and production. Thus, the present study aimed to assess different planting densities of taioba cultivated in intercropping under banana orchards by evaluating its development and yield. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), located in Alegre, ES, Brazil. The experimental design employed randomized blocks with six replications, following a split-plot arrangement. The plots consisted of single and double rows of planting systems, while the subplots were comprised of between-plant spacings of 30, 40, and 50 cm. Various parameters were evaluated, namely, leaf area, number of leaves, leaf fresh and dry matter, chlorophyll indices, flavonoids, and nitrogen balance. Additionally, gross income was determined by estimating the production capacity of leaves and converting it into the production capacity of commercial leaf bundles, considering a 1.0 ha taioba cultivation area based on the intercropping arrangements with banana trees. The highest fresh and dry matter yields of taioba were achieved with the largest spacing between plants (50 cm) in both single and double rows. The number of leaves produced by the plants remained unaffected by the studied arrangements. Consequently, the highest gross yield was obtained with the highest plant density, achieved through a planting spacing of 30 cm between plants in double rows. These findings underscore the viability of diversifying production within banana orchards by incorporating taioba planting in alternating rows, providing a genuine opportunity for additional income for farmers.