Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to assess soybean productivity in succession to cover crops grown during the winter, in addition to assessing physical properties macroporosity (Ma), microporosity (Mi), total porosity (Pt), soil density (Sd) and aggregate stability by means of the following variables: aggregate stability index, geometric mean diameter and weighted mean diameter after soybean crop cultivation. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Quatro Pontes, PR, using a randomized-block design with six treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of soybean crop grown on top of different cover plants’ haystack: black oat, black oat + forage turnip, forage turnip, black oat + forage pea, forage pea and control. Significant differences were observed for soil macroporosity and density. At the depth of 0.10 m, the highest Ma was observed in the area with oat and oat + turnip haystack. At other depths, all cover crops were superior to control. Treatments with cover crops were efficient in reducing soil PR. As for soil aggregation, the treatment with pea was superior to control for weighted mean diameter. The treatments with soybean sown after intercropping obtained greater mass, as well as higher productivity.
Highlights
Soybean crops (Glycine max L.) have been standing out in the agricultural sector with their great economic importance, being a Brazilian commodity that contributes to leverage agricultural growth in the country (Brancalião & Moraes, 2008)
The Ma observed in treatments with oat, oat + turnip, and forage for haystack obtained results higher than those found for control at the 0.0-0.1 m layer (Table 1)
The influence of green fertilization on physical characteristics of soils is due to them promoting greater accumulation of vegetal material deposited on the soil, which raises soil organic matter (SOM) levels, as well as aggregate stability, porosity and moisture retention capacity (Gazolla et al, 2015)
Summary
Soybean crops (Glycine max L.) have been standing out in the agricultural sector with their great economic importance, being a Brazilian commodity that contributes to leverage agricultural growth in the country (Brancalião & Moraes, 2008). According to research by the National Supply Company, soybean had a growth of 1.9% in planted area, compared to the previous harvest, and a production of 113.9 million tons (Conab, 2017). To help reverse the physical degradation process the soil goes through, as well as to prevent crops’ productivity losses, several soil management practices are recommended, such as direct seeding system (DSS), green fertilization, intercropping, crop rotation, among others (Santos et al, 2008). The use of green fertilizers can aid in soil recovery, improving physical, chemical and biological conditions, allowing commercial crops to develop well, in addition to providing sufficient soil cover so that DSS is consolidated (Suzuki et al, 2007). Crop residues left by cover plants in the soil promote the improvement or maintenance of chemical properties (Casali et al, 2016) and physical properties, with highlight to aggregate
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