Cover crops biomass production and its residues mineralization in a Brazilian no-till Oxisol

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate dry biomass production, decomposition rate and macronutrients release (N, P, Ca, Mg and S) of cover crops cultural residues, in a no-till savanna soil. The cover crops tested were: pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum sin. typhoides), brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), compared to a fallow plot (control). The experiment was carried out in an Oxisol, medium texture. A randomized block design, in a split-plot array in time, with four replications, was used. Dry biomass production was evaluated 110 days after sowing. Decomposition rate was evaluated by litter bags containing cultural residues. Millet and sunn hemp are the cover crops (grass and legume) with the highest dry biomass production and N accumulation, in the two evaluation periods. The highest decomposition rate and nutrient release occurred at 42 days after desiccation. The highest values of half life were observed in dry period.