Agronomic and economic evaluation of soybean under beneficial microorganism and cover crop management

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soybean, the main oilseed crop cultivated in Brazil, faces challenges related to sustainability and dependence on chemical inputs. The use of beneficial microorganisms and cover crops may be an alternative to increase productivity and reduce costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of combining cover crops with multifunctional microorganisms on soybean development and to assess its financial viability. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications. Treatments consisted of the combination of five cover crops [1) fallow; 2) Fagopyrum esculentum; 3) Pennisetum glaucum; 4) Mix 1 (Avena strigosa, A. sativa, Crotalaria ochroleuca, C. juncea, Raphanus sativus, and Eleusine coracana); and 5) Mix 2 (A. strigosa, C. spectabilis, Raphanus sativus, and F. esculentum)] with three microbiological management strategies (1. Embrapa: Serratia marcescens, Bacillus sp., Azospirillum brasilense, and Trichoderma koningiopsis; 2. Commercial: microbial consortium + Penergetic; and 3. Standard management). The evaluated variables were cover crop biomass production, 100-grain weight, yield, and economic analysis. Pearl millet showed the highest biomass production (8.52 t ha⁻1). The Commercial and Embrapa management strategies provided the highest average soybean yields (4.48 and 4.34 t ha⁻1, respectively), both higher than the Standard management (4.26 t ha⁻1). Economic analysis indicated the highest financial return for the Commercial management ($799.49 ha⁻1). It is concluded that the adoption of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, combined with the use of cover crops, is a sustainable and economically viable practice for soybean cultivation.