Living cover prevents agrochemicals in soybeans

Two low-lying areas evaluated on the southern coast of Santa Catarina, both with the same agricultural history, soybeans in the 2023/24 season and direct-seeded rice in 2024/25, demonstrate significant differences in weed control during the off-season. The analysis is by agricultural engineer Júlio Catoni. According to him, after the harvest of the current season, both areas were desiccated with glyphosate to control rice regrowth. However, only one of them had ryegrass seeded during the last three winters. Even with the application of hormonal herbicides for the control of buva, the presence of this invasive plant is more evident in the area without ryegrass. The plants, originating from marginal areas and spread by the wind, find a more favorable environment for germination where there is an absence of live plant cover. The area with ryegrass, on the other hand, presents more efficient natural competition, making it difficult for buva to establish and reducing the need for new ...