Agronomic performance of soybean cultivars in an agroforestry system1

ABSTRACT Combining forest and crop species into a production system may enhance its sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the yield components, yield and grain quality of soybean cultivars, in an agroforestry system containing Eucalyptus grandis. A complete randomized block design, in a split-plot arrangement, with three replications, was used. Four soybean cultivars were allocated into the plots (BRS 359 RR, BRS 360 RR, BMX Potência RR and NA 5909 RR). The subplots consisted of five positions between the rows of E. grandis (spaced in 28 m - close to the trees on the east and west sides, intermediate position on the east and west sides and at the center of the row). The yield components and soybean grain yield reduce significantly the closer the plants are seeded to the rows of E. grandis. However, the oil and protein contents in soybean grains are not influenced by the position between rows, regardless of the cultivar. Among all evaluated cultivars, NA 5909 RR presents the best agronomic performance in the agroforestry system containing eucalyptus.