ABSTRACT:
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different managements of ryegrass straw in the off-season of irrigated rice on the initial establishment of plants, nutrient cycling and grain yield of the irrigated rice. The experiment was conducted in lowland area during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 crop seasons, in a randomized complete block, with five replications and the treatments were constituted by: ryegrass desiccation timings before the rice planting, fallow and straw removal through ryegrass hay production. There is a reduction of rice stand as there is a delay in the ryegrass desiccation approaches to rice planting. Use of ryegrass in lowlands intensifies the nutrient cycling; however, it is recommended that in non grazed ryegrass the desiccation should be performed 60 days before the irrigated rice planting without reducing grain yield. Ryegrass hay production is a viable alternative for the off-season in lowlands because it does not reduce the initial establishment of irrigated rice plant.
Key words:
Oryza sativa; crops succession; cover crop; hay production
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