Cover crop management in the maize-wheat offseason

Abstract

This research studied a suitable cover crop considering biomass accumulation and nutrient cycling and its herbicide management to be adopted in the maize-wheat offseason as well as its influence on wheat yield. Experiment was laid out as a randomized block design in a factorial scheme with five cover crops (Fagopyrum esculentum, Crotalaria juncea, Pennisetum glaucum, Urochloa brizantha and Crotalaria spectabilis at 2017/18 growing season and at 2018/19, Fagopyrum esculentum and Crotalaria spectabilis were switched for Dolichos lablab) and two herbicide management (Desiccation 17 days before and at the wheat Sowing day) with four replications. Fallow was used as a control. Fagopyrum esculentum showed the fastest cycle and can be recommended for shorter offseason periods (50 days). Pennisetum glaucum showed the highest biomass yield at both years, standing out as the best option for offseason periods of 70 to 80 days. Tradeoff between the additional biomass produced by millet and brachiaria between herbicide desiccation periods does not cover the wheat grain yield reduction, suggesting that its herbicide management should be anticipated. On the other hand, Crotalarias showed a linear increase in biomass along the periods without wheat yield effects and its herbicide dissection at the wheat sowing day is recommended