Poultry litter and cover crops influence the agronomic performance and grain yield of wheat

The use of poultry litter as a source of nitrogen (N) and the decomposition of ground cover plants can be an alternative and N management strategy in the wheat crop, in succession. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of isolated and/or intercropped cultivation of ground cover plants in autumn/winter and the use of poultry litter on some plant parameters and on the final yield of wheat grains. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in split plots, with three replications. The treatments in the plots were composed of isolated coverings Avena strigosa Schreb., Raphanus sativus L. and intercropping of A. strigosa + R. sativus and fallow as a control. In the subplots, the N managements in the wheat crop with 100% of the N recommendation via poultry litter, 100% of the N via mineral (urea), 50% via poultry litter + 50% mineral and the control, without N application. The management of nitrogen fertilization and the cover crops altered the yield components of the wheat crop. The use of poultry litter increased the final grain yield, being an alternative as a partial replacement, when associated with urea, or total N. Isolated crops R. sativus and A. strigosa + R. sativus intercropping significantly influenced agronomic performance and final grain yield.