Influência das plantas de serviço sobre a produtividade de soja (Glycine max) e taxa de infiltração

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate different combinations of soil cover crops, both in single and mixed cultivations, to understand their effects on water infiltration rate and soybean (Glycine max) productivity. The experiment was carried out in Pato Branco – PR, during the 2024/2025 agricultural year, using three types of vegetative cover: isolated black oat and two mixtures composed of grasses, legumes, and brassicas. In addition, three different management practices were tested: maintenance of only the roots, only the aerial part, or the entire plant. The evaluated variables included dry matter production, macronutrient accumulation (N, P, K), soil water infiltration rate, and the yield of the soybean crop grown in succession. The results showed no significant difference in biomass production among treatments. However, the mixture containing vetch (Rx610) stood out by showing greater nitrogen and potassium accumulation. The management practice that preserved only the root system of the cover crops was the one that most favored soil water infiltration, highlighting the role of roots in improving soil physical structure. Despite these improvements in soil attributes, soybean yield did not show significant variations among treatments. It is concluded that the use of mixtures with functionally distinct species, especially legumes, can provide benefits to soil quality and nutrient cycling, with the root system being a key component. However, the effects on agricultural productivity may depend on the continuity and duration of these practices within the production system.