Study evaluates cover crops adapted to regions of Minas Gerais

The Minas Gerais Agricultural Research Corporation (EPAMIG) is conducting studies on cover crops in six regions of the state, focusing on the fall-winter period. The goal is to identify the species best adapted to each location and offer technical recommendations to farmers, contributing to soil protection, conservation, and improvement.

The research evaluates dozens of species cultivated singly, including Brachiaria ruziziensis, millet, coracana grass, crotalaria, forage turnip, buckwheat and common wheat, sunflower and pigeon pea.

According to Epamig researcher and project coordinator Maurício Antônio Coelho, the role of cover crops goes beyond simply occupying the area during the off-season. They contribute to surface protection, moisture retention, and improving the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of the soil.

"We will evaluate, in each region of Minas Gerais, which species are best adapted for cultivation in the fall-winter period. This way, we will be able to recommend the best options to producers for each location," explains the researcher.

Because it covers a statewide area, the research seeks to find distinct results for each region, recommending species for each location studied, demonstrating the benefits these plants bring to the soil, leading to improvements in the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the soil.

"We intend to inform producers about the improvements these species bring, with positive impacts on improving soil conditions, directly benefiting summer crops. When implemented during the fall-winter period, the project will indicate which cover crops producers can use, thus improving the soil conditions for planting their main summer crop," Coelho concludes.