Boosting Soybean Yield and Revenue through Cover Crops

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Federal University in Rondonopolis, Brazil, have conducted an extensive study on the impact of cover crops on soybean production. The six-year research project, supported by Fundao Agrisus, ACEV Foundation, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPQ), aimed to evaluate the mid-term effects of crop rotations and successions integrating cover crops and/or intercropping on biomass production, nutrient accumulation, and economic returns.

The study involved eight production systems, including fallow succession, different cover crop arrangements, and three crop rotation systems. The researchers found that systems with cover crops or intercropping under no-till showed higher soybean grain yield, a consistent yield increase over time, and greater revenue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the mid-term effects of crop rotations and successions integrating cover crops and/or intercropping on biomass production, nutrient accumulation, and economic returns.
  • The researchers examined eight production systems, including fallow succession, different cover crop arrangements, and three crop rotation systems.
  • Systems with cover crops or intercropping under no-till showed higher soybean grain yield, a consistent yield increase over time, and greater revenue.
  • The highest nutrient accumulation, soybean grain yield, and revenue were found in systems CS2, CS1, and CR3.
  • MC1 and MC2 were the lowest-performing treatments across the evaluated variables.
  • The study was conducted over three crop seasons (2013/14, 2014/15, and 2015/16) in a randomized block design with four replications.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Plant and Soil.

Statistics:

  • The study examined eight production systems.
  • The researchers evaluated dry matter (DM) production and nutrient accumulation in the cover crops.
  • Soybean grain yield, estimated animal stocking rate, and estimated meat production were determined to evaluate the net return.
  • The highest soybean grain yield was found in systems CS2, CS1, and CR3, with an average yield increase of 25.6% over the three crop seasons.
  • The system with the lowest revenue was MC1, with an average revenue of $10,231.
  • The system with the highest revenue was CR3, with an average revenue of $31,419.
  • The study was conducted over a total area of 20 hectares.

Sources:

  • Crop Rotation and Succession In Soybean Production Systems: Cover Crop Biomass, Grain Yield and Revenue. Plant and Soil, 2025.
  • Plant and Soil can be contacted at: Springer, Van Godewijckstraat 30, 3311 Gz Dordrecht, Netherlands.
  • Federal University Rondonopolis, Inst Agrarian & Technol Sci, Dept. of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
  • Thais Rodrigues Magalhaes Guedes, Leandro Pereira Pacheco, Ivan David Ferreira Silva, Claudinei Kappes, Andressa Selestina Dalla Cort, Joao Henrique dos Santos Ferreira, Jose Roberto Portugal, Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol, Rayane Gabriel da Silva, Edicarlos Damacena de Souza, Laercio Santos Silva, Rafael Felippe Ratke, Fabiano Andre Petter, and Eder Sequini Correia.