Allelochemicals can undergo changes in cover crops maintained on the soil surface or incorporated into soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of cover crop straw, incorporated or not into soil, on the emergence and initial development of crabgrass (Digitaria spp.). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme where: A)- management of cover crops (incorporated or not into the soil); B) - cover crops (Brassica napus, Raphanus sativus, Trifolium vesiculosum and Lolium multiflorum) and C) - straw levels (0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 t ha-1). Increased straw levels of Brassica napus and Raphanus sativus incorporated into the soil leads to an increase in the reduction of the variables IVE and percentage of Digitaria spp. emergence. The presence of Lolium multiflorum straw on the soil surface reduces the growth of Digitaria spp., compared to incorporation into the soil, with at least 6 t ha-1 of straw being necessary.
Lolium multiflorum; Raphanus sativus; Trifolium vesiculosum; Brassica napus; allelochemicals
