Multivariate analysis in the morpho-yield evaluation of forage cactus intercropped with sorghum

• Published in: Revista brasileira de engenharia agrícola e ambiental 2020-11, Vol.24 (11), p.756-761
• Main Authors: Jardim, Alexandre M. da R. F., Silva, Thieres G. F. da, Souza, Luciana S. B. de, Souza, Marcondes de S., Morais, José E. F. de, Araújo Júnior, George do N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
• ISSN: 1415-4366; 1807-1929; 1807-1929
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v24n11p756-761

ABSTRACT Understanding the effect of the cropping system on the morpho-yield relationship of plants is crucial for success in the agricultural activity, mainly in arid and semi-arid regions, where there are major challenges for food production. In this study, the objective was to apply multivariate statistics in the morpho-yield evaluation of forage cactus clones in cropping systems as sole crop and intercropped with sorghum cultivars. The experiment was conducted in Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil, between March 18, 2017 and June 16, 2018. The design adopted was in randomized blocks with 12 treatments composed of three forage cactus clones in sole-crop system (IPA Sertânia, Miúda and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) and nine forage cactus-sorghum intercropping systems with the cultivars 467, SF11 and 2502. Morphometric and phytomass measurements of forage cactus clones were performed throughout the cycle. The relationship between the morpho-yield traits of the clones was evaluated by means of principal component analysis. Cladode width, length, perimeter, and area are morphometric variables that determine phytomass accumulation in clones. The cropping systems did not influence the association of morpho-yield traits, but it depends on the genus of forage cactus. Negative correlations between cladode dimensions and phytomass of the clones of the genus Nopalea explained their lower phytomass accumulations. Principal components analysis makes it possible to elucidate associations between morpho-yield variables of forage cactus. RESUMO O entendimento do efeito do sistema de cultivo sobre a relação morfo-produtiva das plantas é determinante para o sucesso da atividade agrícola, sobretudo em regiões áridas e semiáridas, onde há grandes desafios para produção de alimentos. Neste estudo, objetivou-se aplicar estatística multivariada na avaliação morfo-produtiva de clones de palma forrageira em sistemas de cultivo exclusivo e consórcio com cultivares de sorgo. O experimento foi conduzido em Serra Talhada, PE, entre 18 de março de 2017 e 16 de junho de 2018. O delineamento adotado foi em blocos casualizados com 12 tratamentos compostos por três clones de palma em sistema exclusivo (IPA Sertânia, Miúda e Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) e nove consórcios palma-sorgo com as cultivares 467, SF11 e 2502. Medidas morfométricas e de fitomassa dos clones de palma foram feitas ao longo do ciclo. Avaliou-se a relação entre as características morfo-produtivas dos clones por análise de comp