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Vagner do Nascimento<\/strong>, professor at Unesp Dracena<\/p><\/div>\n

AgriBrasilis \u2013 What is the importance of covering the soil?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vagner Nascimento \u2013 <\/strong>The amount of coverage (tonne\/hectare) uniformly and permanently on the soil\u2019s surface with plant residues (straw) in the various agricultural production systems is essential from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. Also essential is a quality no-till system, with a focus on sustainability, mainly in tropical regions where rates of decomposition of plant residues are accelerated in relation to regions with a temperate climate.<\/p>\n

Soil coverage is used to improve the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological conditions. In addition, it is considered a conservationist practice by which plant species are cultivated and then incorporated or maintained on the soil\u2019s surface, at a certain phenological stage, to ensure or increase the soil\u2019s productive capacity.<\/p>\n

The main benefits of cover crops are related to the protection of soil against water and wind erosion; keeping high water infiltration rates; promoting a continuous supply of dry plant mass; increasing water storage capacity in the soil; effectively mobilizing and recycling nutrients; promoting supply of nitrogen; reducing weed populations; providing favorable environmental conditions for life in the soil; providing beneficial allelopathy; storing carbon in the soil; attenuating and controlling thermal oscillations; recovering degraded soils; solubilizing phosphorus; reducing nutrient leaching; increasing cation exchange capacity and the stability of soil aggregates; assisting in fixing compacting of the soil; assisting in the management of nematodes and root pathogens; improving the efficiency of mineral fertilizers and human and animal food.<\/p>\n

AgriBrasilis \u2013 What are the main cover crop species in agriculture?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vagner Nascimento \u2013 <\/strong>The main families and species of cover crops used belong to the Fabaceae (Crotalaria spp.<\/em>, velvet bean, pigeon pea, soybean, jack bean, lablab, Stylosanthes spp<\/em>., common vetch, forage pea, lupines, etc.), Poaceae (millet, corn, sorghum, wheat, rye, triticale, barley, oats, annual ryegrass, annual and perennial tropical forages of the genera Urochloa,<\/em> Megathyrsus spp<\/em>., sudangrass, Eleusine coracana,<\/em> and Andropogon L.),<\/em> Cruciferous plants (radish, rapeseed, and canola); Asteraceae (sunflower); Polygonaceae (buckwheat); Caryophyllaceae (Spergula arvensis<\/em>) and Linaceae (flax).<\/p>\n

The trend nowadays is towards intercropping (Crotalaria spp.<\/em> + Urochloa spp<\/em>., Crotalaria spp<\/em> + millet and sorghum + Urochloa spp<\/em>.) and combinations of different species and families.<\/p>\n

In this sense, the main characteristics when choosing species, be it for single planting or intercropping, are: high dry biomass yield; production of seeds that are easy to obtain and harvest; physiological cycle compatible with commercial crops; low susceptibility to diseases and pests; deep rooting and branching; aluminum tolerance and soil acidity; efficiency in nutrient extraction and cycling; high atmospheric nitrogen fixation; resistance\/tolerance to water stress; efficiency in the management of weeds and nematodes, as well as the promotion of increments in cultivation yields in succession, rotation, and intercropping.<\/p>\n

AgriBrasilis \u2013 What are the fundamental aspects in recommending land cover species in different production systems?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vagner Nascimento – <\/strong>Main aspects to consider when recommending land cover species are: 1) the area\u2019s history (previous plants and soil fertilization); 2) adaptation of plants to the climate and soil of the region; 3) the production system adopted on the farm; 4) non-interference in the agricultural activities of the farm; 5) minimal financial cost; 6) availability of seeds in the market and affordable price; 7) high productivity of dry biomass; 8) ease of handling (mechanical and chemical) of plant residues; 9) the farmer\u2019s preference.<\/p>\n

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