Cover crops increase soybean productivity

Research conducted in soybean cultivation areas in Rio Verde (GO) and Rondonópolis (MT) shows that the use of cover crops, such as brachiaria, crotalaria and millet, significantly improves soil health, carbon sequestration and agricultural productivity in the Cerrado. The study is led by PhD student Victória Santos Souza, from Esalq/USP, with support from the Center for Research and Innovation in Greenhouse Gases (RCGI).

The experiments indicate that more diverse systems, with consortia between grasses and legumes, increased carbon stocks by up to 19%, increased soil health by 13% and soybean productivity by 11%, compared to conventional systems such as soybean-corn or soybean-fallow. The high biomass production of the species used also promotes benefits such as greater water retention and reduced impact from climate extremes.

The research reinforces the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in the Cerrado, which is responsible for almost half of the country's soybean area and also leads in greenhouse gas emissions. The work seeks to contribute data for calculating the carbon balance in agriculture and offer viable alternatives to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Access the Practical Guide to Cover Plants prepared by Esalq-USP: doi.org/10.11606/9786587391618