The study objective was to evaluate the performance and potential of perennial herbaceous legumes for use as permanent soil cover in the Caatinga Mineira region MG, Brazil, for the introduction of these cover crops in agricultural areas. The experimental design was in a randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted on the leguminous: Pueraria phaseoloides, Calopogonium mucunoides, Arachis pintoi, Glycine wightii e Stylosanthes capitata, Stylosanthes macrocephala and the control (without the presence of leguminous). Were evaluated: seedling emergence and rate of soil cover, promotion of moisture retention and soil temperature, ability to inhibit the spontaneous vegetation, deposition potential of leaves and intake of macronutrients by senescence of leaves, dry matter production and accumulation of nutrients in the shoot. The full coverage of the soil was reached for Calopogonium mucunoides, Arachis pintoi and Pueraria phaseoloides. The Calopogonium mucunoides created greater capacity to retain moisture and inhibiting weeds. In all the treatments with leguminous, the soil temperature was lower than in control, from the 120 day cicle. In the region of Caatinga Mineira, the perennial leguminous Calopogonium mucunoides and Pueraria phaseoloides, could contribute significantly to the increase of the nitrogen and other macronutrients (K, P, Ca and Mg) and the increase of organic matter under the soil.
Green manure; Nutrient input; Sustainability; Soil management; Cover crops
