Evaluation of biomass production of organic corn on mixed sward perennial pastures

Abstract

The objective of this work was to analyze the viability of organic corn production in mixed sward
perennial pasture. The experiment was conducted in a Voisin’s rational grazing area. Three
treatments were compared: no fertilization; Organic fertilization (Organic); and control without
corn planting (no corn), along two harvests. The biomass production (t/ha/yr) on Organic treatment
(7.1) was higher than the treatments no fertilization (5.0) and no corn (4.8). Annual biomass
production ranged from 12.8 to 14.0 t/ha/yr and did not differ between treatments. There
was no change in the functional composition between the treatments, but an increase of the
grasses groups during the experiment. We conclude that agroecological corn production during
the summer may be integrated into perennial pastures without jeopardizing summer forage
supply, thereby satisfying winter forage demand and thus eliminating the need for additional
land for conventional silage production.