Plantas de cobertura : características, benefícios e utilização

Abstract

Cover crops play an important rule on the implementation of no-tillage systems and on sustainable land use and management. As a consequence, research and development of new varieties, growing systems and the use by farmers is increasing every day. These crops provide various benefits to soils and, therefore, to farmers, by improving aspects like soil structure, nematodes control, nutrients recycling, erosion prevention and weed control. There are two main botanical families of cover crops: Fabaceae and Poaceae, which are known especially for the biological nitrogen fixation (in association with symbiotic bacteria such as Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium) and high production of dry matter, respectively. This work aims to discuss some cover crops characteristics, the benefits in using these plants, according to the literature available about this subject, and the recommended establishment practices, such as when to sow and what to sow, according to specific environment conditions and the growers preferences. Additionally, a research with farmers from Brazil was carried out in order to evaluate the use they make of cover crops. Farmers were asked which crops they use more often, if they recommend other farmers to grow these plants, which advantages and disadvantages they noticed from their experience with the different species, among other questions. Results show that participants are very satisfied with the cover crops they use, pointing various benefits they noticed and stating that they would recommend other growers to make use of these valuable plants.