Abstract

The soil mulch is an agricultural practice that can benefit soil fertility and can be effective in suppressing weeds. The objective this research was to evaluate the mulching from legumes in weed control and sugarcane (first harvest/cut) productivity, comparing the results with the conventional application of herbicides. This research was carried out under field conditions. Five legumes were managed in two ways to form the soil cover: (1) mechanical topple, and (2) chemically desiccated. To compare the results, used treatments with herbicides applied in pre and pre + post emergence. The soil mulch from mechanical topple of Crotalaria spectabilis, C. juncea, C. ochroleuca, C. breviflora and Cajanus cajan presented lower efficiency in suppressing weeds than the treatment with herbicides applied in pre + post-emergence, however, were more efficient in controlling weeds in relation to the use of herbicides in pre-emergence, a fact observed at 60 days of sugarcane cultivation.

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