Organic and low input soybean production: role of winter cover crops in production systems and its effect on yield parameters

Abstract

Cover crops are being used as a tool to reflect agro-ecosystem services. Cover crops differ in the traits by which they capture resources and influence the local agro-ecosystem. The aim of the research was to examine the effects of the winter cover crops in soybean production through the analysis of yield in the two sustainable cultivation systems (organic and low input) during 2021. The experiments were set up according to the block system method with random plots in four replications at two locations Čurug and Rimski šančevi, Serbia. Winter cover crops were following: pure rye crop (R) and a mixture of peas and oats (P+O) (85:15), while the control treatment (C) was an area without cover crops. It was assumed that soybean will respond positively to the selected treatments, which resulted in an increase in grain yield. Yield and yield parameters positively reacted on mixture (P+O) as a pre crop.