Germination and early growth of soybean, dry bean and turnip grown UNDER Digitaria horizontalis straw

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the possible inhibitory effects of crabgrass (Digitaria horizontalis Willd.) dry mass on the germination and early growth of soybean, bean, and turnip (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), incorporated to the soil in different concentrations. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications, each one consisting of a 2.5 L capacity vase. Dry mass of crabgrass in amounts equivalent to 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 t ha-1 were incorporated into the soil. Seedling emergence was checked daily, and the germination, the germination speed index, the mean germination time, the relative frequency and the synchronization index of germination were computed at the final of 10 days . At 35 days after sowing, the height and dry mass of plants were evaluated. The incorporation to the soil of D.horizontalis caused significant reduction of the height and dry weight of soybean, bean and turnip, but were not observed consistent influence on the germination of these species.