Profitability of soybean production models with diversified crops in the autumn–winter
Luiz Gustavo Garbelini, J. C. Franchini, Henrique Debiasi, Alvadi Antônio Balbinot, Edner Betioli, Tiago Santos Telles
Abstract
Abstract In Brazil, soybean ( Glycine max L.) have been grown in production systems with a low plant species diversification. However, these systems are becoming less efficient and sustainable. This study therefore evaluated the profitability of soybean production systems as a function of the degree of diversification of crops grown in the winter period. We conducted an experiment in Paraná state, Brazil, over 6 yr, under no‐tillage. The crop rotation systems included soybean, wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), and combinations of tropical forage crops, either planted independently or intercropped with maize ( Zea mays L.) in the winter. We evaluated the crop yields, gross revenue, total operating cost, gross margin, and profit of each production model. Diversified crop rotation systems increase crop yields and profit compared with the maize–soybean system. The most interesting crop rotations with respect to yield and profit proved to be those that substituted second crop maize for brachiaria ruziziensis ( Urochloa ruziziensis ) grass as a cover crop every 3 yr or intercropped second crop maize with brachiaria ruziziensis.