Long-term effects of cover crops on physical-hydric properties of compacted soil

The screening of cover crops is essential for improving the physical-hydric properties of compacted soils. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mixed or single cover crops on improving the physical-hydric properties of compacted Oxisol. Species with tap-rooted and fibrous-rooted rooting patt...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deonir Secco, Doglas Bassegio, Araceli Ciotti de Marins, Bruna de Villa, Luiz Antônio Zanão Junior, Tiago Roque Benetoli da Silva, Affonso Celso Gonçalves Junior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Eduem (Editora da Universidade Estadual de Maringá) 2023-08-01
Series:Acta Scientiarum: Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciAgron/article/view/62390
Description
Summary:The screening of cover crops is essential for improving the physical-hydric properties of compacted soils. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mixed or single cover crops on improving the physical-hydric properties of compacted Oxisol. Species with tap-rooted and fibrous-rooted rooting patterns were evaluated. The species included pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), sunn hemp (Crotalaria spectabilis), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), white oat (Avena sativa), black oat (Avena strigosa), rye (Secale cereale), black oat + forage turnip (Raphanus sativus), black oat + white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), and black oat + group pea (Pisum arvense L.). Mixing cover crops did not improve the physical properties of the soil. The tap-rooted pigeon pea effectively reduces bulk density and increases porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in compact soils. The selection of cover crops with characteristics that improve soil physical-hydric properties is crucial for compacted areas.
ISSN:1679-9275
1807-8621