ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of cover crops in an Oxisol in ‘Cerrado’ under compaction levels. The experimental design was in a randomized blocks in 4 x 5 factorial, composed by four cover crops (Urochloa brizantha; Pennisetum glaucum cv. ANM 17; Crotalaria ochroleuca and Eleusine coracana cv. ANPG 207) and five levels of soil density (1.1; 1.3; 1.5; 1.7 and 1.9 Mg m-3). For U. brizantha; P. glaucum; C. Ochroleuca higher values of height, stem diameter, leaf number and leaf area were observed at densities from 1.3 to 1.5 Mg m-3. The highest values of dry biomass of shoots, dry biomass of root and volume of root were observed for E. coracana and U. Brizantha in densities up to 1.62, 1.54 and 1,52 Mg m-3, respectively. Considering the relative volume of 90%, E. coracana and U. Brizantha develop normally until a density of 1.65 Mg m-3. The percentage distribution of the roots of E. coracana below the compacted layer increases with increasing density. E. coracana and U. brizantha stand out as plants with potential to reduce soil bulk density.
Key words:
tillage; crop rotation; soil bulk density; root
) e abaixo (
) da camada compactada com diferentes densidades em um Latossolo Vermelho
