Production of corn and Soybean Cultivated in Succession and Rotation with Different Coverages in the Cerrado

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the dry mass production of coverings and the productivity of corn and soybeans grown in succession.   Method/design/approach: In a randomized block design, with subdivided plots, four covers were evaluated: Sunn hemp, Pearl millet, Signal grass and fallow; at two times of the year: spring and autumn/winter, with 4 repetitions. After cover management, the plots were subdivided, then corn and soybeans were sown on the residues of these plants. The dry mass production of the coverings and the productivity of corn and soybeans in each harvest were evaluated.   Result and conclusion: Pearl millet and Sunn hemp were the covers with the highest dry mass production, with Sunn hemp residues positively influencing the production of corn grown in succession and none of the plants used affected soybean production. Corn and soybean production increased as the system stages evolved until reaching the consolidation stage.   Research implications: the study proves that residues from different coverings that are used in rotation with corn can affect its productivity, especially when the covering comes from a Fabacea, as there is more nitrogen available in the soil in these areas, which come from of biological fixation carried out by these plants, while the same does not happen with soybeans.   Originality/value: The search for maintaining or increasing crop production using a more conservationist management system in the cerrado is a constant, a condition that is achieved when the appropriate cover plant is chosen.