To assess the irrigated cultivation of banana resistant to black Sigatoka, intercropped with annual crops in the northern region of Minas Gerais, a trial was conducted on an experimental farm of the Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, in Janaúba-MG. The experiment was carried out from April 2006 to July 2007, in a 3 x 5 randomized block design with split plots. The plots consisted of three banana varieties (Pacovan Ken, Caipira and Thap Maeo) and subplots of four interim crops (common bean Pearl, okra Dart, watermelon Crimson Sweet and cowpea), with three replications and a control (banana without intercrop). Altogether 756 banana plants were considered, in 45 plots, using 6 central banana plants per plot, representing the main crop. The intercrops were planted in the banana interrows, in those with and those without the irrigation pipeline. The banana and intercrops were planted in the same period. Banana plants were spaced 3.0 m between rows and 2.0 m between plants and irrigated by microsprinklers spaced 6 m apart. Vegetative and reproductive characteristics of the banana varieties were evaluated in the 1st cycle. No significant effect of the crops on the banana varieties was observed, except for the traits number of days from planting to flowering and number of days from planting to harvest of the banana varieties. The cowpea use promoted delay at the crop cycle of three varieties of banana plants Pacovan Ken, Caipira e Thap Maeo.
Musa spp; interim crops; varieties
