Impacto de distintas alternativas de desecación de los cultivos de servicios en sistemas de producción bajo siembra directaImpacto de distintas alternativas de desecación de los cultivos de servicios en sistemas de producción bajo siembra directa

Cover crops (CCs) are incorporated into agricultural systems to improve sustainability, but they require appropriate desiccation before the subsequent crop. This study evaluated two desiccation technologies (chemical and mechanical) on five species (Avena strigosa, Avena byzantina, Trifolium resupinatum, Vicia villosa, and Lupinus angustifolius) and two mixtures (Avena strigosa + Vicia villosa and Avena byzantina + Vicia villosa), comparing them to a control without cover (fallow).

The objective was to analyze the effectiveness of desiccation technologies, soil coverage, and weed control. The experiment was conducted at the Mario A. Cassinoni Experimental Station (Paysandú, Uruguay) using a split-plot design with three blocks. Variables such as green and dry soil coverage, weed density, and desiccation effectiveness were evaluated at 25, 32, and 55 days after desiccation.

Results showed that chemical desiccation was faster, while mechanical rolling achieved similar levels over time. No significant differences were found between technologies in weed density, indicating that soil coverage provided by CCs was the most influential factor in weed control.

Vicia villosa, either in monoculture or mixed with oats, was the most effective species for weed suppression, especially for resistant species like Conyza spp. In contrast, Lupinus angustifolius showed limited performance, similar to the fallow.

In conclusion, the combination of well-established CCs with mechanical desiccation is a viable strategy to reduce herbicide use and promote more sustainable systems.