ABSTRACT
The cultivation of different species of cover crops enables the improvement and conservation of soil and organic matter, in addition to promoting significant yield increases in subsequent crops, with significant economic gains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and productivity of green corn on different soil covers in an organic no-tillage system. The work used a randomized block design, with 6 repetitions and 5 treatments, consisting of 3 soil covers in an organic no-tillage system, with black oat straw, white lupine straw and straw of the intercropping oat/lupine, as well as 2 systems without straw and with revolved soil, an organic one and a conventional. Evaluations of culm diameter, plant height and insertion of the corn ears were carried out, at stages V5, V10 and R3, as well as of total number of marketable ears, the total productivity of ears with and without straw, average weight of ears with and without straw, productivity, average weight and percentage of marketable ears, length and diameter of marketable ears without straw. The organic no-tillage system on the white lupine straw in single and intercropped with black oat provided greater growth of corn plants at the early stages of culture. The use of white lupine single or intercropped with black oat showed itself as good option for straw training in an organic no-tillage system, ensuring satisfactory growth and productivity for the green corn crop.
Key words
Zea mays; Avena strigosa Schreb; Lupinus albus L.; cover crops
