The use of the cover mix aims to conserve and/or improve the soil environment and, consequently, the sustainability of the production system. This resource has been highlighted as a strategy to make the most of the potential of each plant. The choice of species and quantity of each plant must be thought of strategically.
The diversification of cover crops brings several benefits, improving the chemical, physical and biological properties of the soil. With increased porosity, there is better infiltration, water retention and aeration. Furthermore, there is also an improvement in soil structure, stimulating the formation of stable aggregates, and a contribution to nutrient cycling and soil biodiversity.
Given the wide choice of ground cover plants that offer good results, it is somewhat difficult to decide which one we should invest in. To be assertive in choosing, it is necessary to observe some factors:
Cycle of species used
When choosing the cover mix, the time available for the cover plants to develop must be taken into account. We must evaluate from the moment of removal of the previous crop until the sowing of the next crop, as the mix cycle must be compatible with this “window” between the harvest of the previous crop and the sowing of the next commercial crop, in order to have good development of this coverage.
