Rendimento de grãos de trigo cultivado sobre coberturas outonais e pousio em clima subtropical

Abstract

The cultivation of cover crops during the autumn period (between soybean and wheat seasons) is important to ensure greater physical, chemical, and biological soil quality, which promotes the proper establishment and development of the subsequent wheat crop. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate yield components and grain yield of wheat grown after three types of soil cover: a cover crop mix Rx 440® (composed of Pearl Millet BRS 1501, Buckwheat IPR 92, and Forage Radish IPR 116), forage radish alone, and a fallow area (with soybean residues from the previous crop), under the climatic conditions of the autumn period in Southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted on a private property in Vitorino, PR, with cover crops sown in March 2023, and subsequent wheat cultivation from May 20 to October 10, 2023, using the cultivar TBIO Ponteiro. The experimental design was a randomized block design (DBA), with three treatments and six replications, totaling 18 experimental units, each measuring 193.8 m2. Data on yield components and grain yield (RG) were subjected to analysis of variance in the DBA and Tukey’s test, both at a 5% significance level (𝛼 = 5%). Pearson’s correlation analysis (𝛼 = 5%) was used to assess the linear relationship between grain yield and the other variables. Wheat grain yield was influenced by the type of cover crop, with forage radish and the Rx 440® mix showing the highest yields. No significant differences were observed among treatments regarding yield components. Dry matter at 47 and 55 days showed the strongest linear association with grain yield. The use of cover crops in the period between soybean harvest and wheat sowing is recommended, especially in subtropical regions, as it improves wheat performance and contributes to the sustainability of the production system. Fallow should be avoided.