Performance of soybean grown in succession to black oat and wheat

Alvadi Antonio Balbinot Junior,Felipe Bratti,Moryb Jorge Lima Da Costa Sapucay,Henrique Debiasi,Julio Cezar Franchini Dos Santos,Jorge Luiz Locatelli,Antônio Eduardo Coelho

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2020.v55.01654

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of isolated or combined roots and straw of black oat and wheat, as previous crops in autumn/winter, on the performance of soybean in succession. The experiment was carried out in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The following seven treatments were applied in the autumn/winter of 2017 and 2018, before soybean planting: fallow; straw of black oat or wheat, distributed on plots kept under fallow during autumn/winter, without roots; plots only with roots of black oat or wheat, without straw; and plots with straw and roots of black oat or wheat. Soybean crop performance was estimated using the following variables: plant density, leaf area index, soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index, shoot dry matter, grain yield, and yield components. In comparison with fallow, the cultivation of black oat or wheat, as previous crops during the autumn/winter, increases soybean grain yield. The impact of the roots of black oat or wheat on soybean yield is similar to that of straw. Soybean agronomic performance is improved in the combined presence of roots and straw of black oat or wheat.

Highlights

The no-tillage system shows significant ecological, economic, environmental, and social benefits when compared with conventional tillage (Derpsch et al, 2014), especially under cropping systems with a high plant diversity and biomass production (Franchini et al, 2012)
Black oat has a great capacity for dry matter production, resulting in an adequate soil cover under no-tillage (Pissinati et al, 2016), high nutrient cycling (Wolschick et al, 2016), and weed suppression (Balbinot Junior et al, 2011)
Wheat was managed as a cash crop, receiving 250 kg ha-1 of the 5-20-10 N-P2O5-K2O fertilizer, whereas black oat was not fertilized once it was grown as a cover crop

Summary

Introduction

The no-tillage system shows significant ecological, economic, environmental, and social benefits when compared with conventional tillage (Derpsch et al, 2014), especially under cropping systems with a high plant diversity and biomass production (Franchini et al, 2012). In Southern Brazil, an important alternative for the autumn/winter period is to sow black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) as a cover crop or for fodder production in the crop-livestock system (Balbinot Junior et al, 2009). The species can be desiccated for planting of the subsequent crops (Krenchinski et al, 2018). Another crop that can be used in the autumn/winter season is wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), which has positive effects on soybean growth, compared with corn (Zea mays L.) and fallow (Yokoyama et al, 2018)

Objectives

Methods

Results