Economic feasibility of the consortium among maize genotypes with common bean in the region of Zona da Mata alagoana

Abstract

The evaluation of production costs as a determinant variable for efficiency in the agricultural activity is of relevant importance for decision making by the producer, with a view to choosing the best culture and variety to be produced, to obtain an equalization between productivity and costs. This study aimed to evaluate the economic viability of the consortium between maize genotypes with common beans in the Zona da Mata region of Alagoas. The experiment was conducted in the 2014 harvest, in the randomized block design, in which the treatments were four maize genotypes (Alagoano, Viçosense, Nordestino and Cruzeta) in two planting systems (consortium and monoculture), in the factorial scheme (4 x 2), in three replications. The evaluated variables were the equivalent production of green maize (PEMV), equivalent production of dry maize (PEMS), gross revenue (RB), net revenue (RL) and rate of return (TR). The variables were compared using means and standard deviation. The consortium has greater financial returns, whether for the purpose of producing green spikes or corn in grains, presenting itself as an alternative of greater economic viability and financial security for the producers.