The objectives of this work were to evaluate the residual effects of the single and intercropped sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) and millet (Pennisetum americanum) as green manures on nitrogen transfer and yield of broccoli crop in succession to corn in absence and presence of fertilization of 150kg ha-1 of N. The experiment is a randomized block in split plot design and four replicates. The plot treatments were the previous cultivation of sunnhemp, millet, sunnhemp + millet and spontaneous vegetation. On subplots, the treatments were 150kg ha-1 of N and control (absence of N-fertilizer on broccoli). The succession involved the cultivation of the green manures (September, 26th, 2001 to December, 03th, 2001), followed by corn crop (December, 04th, 2001 to May, 28th, 2002) and broccoli hybrid Big Sur (June, 05th, 2002 to August, 10th, 2002) in zero tillage on the corn residues. It was not detected residual effect of the green manures on the diameter, dry weight of flower buds and dry mass yield of broccoli, either in the absence or presence of N-fertilizer. The presence of the single sunnhemp on crop rotation elevated the content and accumulation of N in the leaves and flower buds of broccoli, either in the absence or presence of 150kg ha-1 of N. In the intercrop sunnhemp and millet, the presence of the leguminous elevated the content and accumulation of N in inflorescences, comparatively to the single millet. In the plots without N-fertilizer and cultivated with sunnhemp the diameter of broccoli buds was similar to spontaneous vegetation + 150kg ha-1 of N. However, the yield of broccoli and the content and accumulation of N in buds were greater after spontaneous vegetation + 150kg ha-1 of N than after green manures without N-fertilizer. The utilization the N from biological fixation by broccoli inflorescences was 9.15% when single and 8.48% when intercropped.
Crotalaria juncea; cover crops; yield broccoli; N transfer
