ABSTRACT Variation in rainfall affects crops; therefore, agricultural practices become essential for forage production in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different agricultural practices on phyllochron, structural characteristics of forage cactus and millet, and their relations with crop yield using the principal component analysis (PCA). The design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments: sole cropped cactus without straw mulching, sole cropped cactus with straw mulching, sole cropped millet without straw mulching, sole cropped millet with straw mulching, and cactus intercropping with millet, with and without straw mulching, each with four replicates. There were three cactus cycles and nine millet cycles (three cycles of cultivars BRS1501 and six of IPA Bulk-1-BF). Biometric parameters were evaluated monthly, while yield was determined after the crop harvest. Phyllochron was determined with the regression analysis. The PCA was applied to structural characteristics and yield. The systems adopted did not influence the structural characteristics of cactus and millet ( p > 0.05), except for cladode thickness, which increased with straw mulching. Phyllochron of the millet reduced when the crop was intercropped. The structural characteristics of cladode length, width, and thickness influenced crop yield, mainly in systems with straw mulching. Straw mulching and intercropping alter phyllochron of cactus and millet. The adoption of straw mulching has a more significant relationship with cactus yield, whereas biometric variables influence crop yield for millet, not the cropping system.

RESUMO O milho roxo é fonte de pigmentos naturais que podem ser utilizados para diversas finalidades industriais, no entanto a contaminação dos solos por alumínio afeta sua produção. Diante do exposto, o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da toxidez por alumínio associado a diferentes temperaturas sobre a germinação das sementes e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de milho roxo, por meio da germinação, crescimento inicial das plântulas e indicadores de danos oxidativos. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 5×2 (concentrações × temperaturas). Os parâmetros avaliados foram porcentagem de germinação, comprimento e massa seca total, da parte aérea, do sistema radicular e indicadores de danos oxidativos (clorofilas totais, a, b, carotenoides totais e peroxidação de lipídeos) na fase de plântula. As concentrações de cloreto de alumínio não interferem na germinação de sementes de milho roxo. O comprimento, massa seca, clorofilas totais, a, b e carotenoides totais das plântulas normais de milho roxo sofrem redução e acréscimos na peroxidação lipídica com o aumento das concentrações de alumínio. O estresse por toxidez do alumínio em plântulas de milho roxo é detectado pelos indicadores bioquímicos (clorofilas totais, a, b, carotenoides totais e peroxidação de lipídeos).

ABSTRACT Purple maize is a source of natural pigments that can be used for various industrial purposes; however, soil contamination from aluminium affects production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aluminium toxicity associated with different temperatures on seed germination and initial development in purple maize seedlings, through germination, initial seedling growth and indicators of oxidative damage. The experimental design was completely randomised in a 5×2 factorial scheme (concentrations × temperatures). The parameters under evaluation were germination percentage, length and total dry weight of the root system and shoots, and indicators of oxidative damage (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and lipid peroxidation) at the seedling stage. Aluminium chloride concentrations have no effect on seed germination in purple maize. With increasing aluminium concentrations, the length, dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids of normal purple maize seedlings are reduced, while lipid peroxidation increases. Aluminium toxicity stress in purple maize seedlings can be detected using biochemical indicators (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and lipid peroxidation).