The definition of plant species with higher production for soil mulching is one of the main factors for a successful no-tillage system. The practice of soil tillage in tropical and subtropical regions based on intensive soil revolving results in decreased organic matter and increased weed incidence. Thus, the aim of this work was to compare the potential of different soil mulching to suppress weeds under no-tillage system in Brazilian cerrado areas. Thus, seven treatments were evaluated consisting of the following soil crop covers: Millet ADR 500 (Penisetum americanum L.), Millet ADR300, Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), Crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.), Castorbean plant (Ricinus communis L.) and spontaneous vegetation. A randomized block experimental design with 4 replications was used. Sorghum yielded the highest dry matter weight (11.890 kg ha-1); sorghum, millet and crotalaria showed a better ability to suppress weeds. The spontaneous vegetation presented the lowest biomass values. Maize and Castorbean presented a lower crop cover potential. Biomass accumulation by the covers was inversely proportional to weed biomass.
sorghum; millet; crotalaria; castorbean
