“…Water deficits can often limit the growth and development of the crops, particularly if the deficit occurs during periods of flowering or pod-fill (Fioreze, Pivetta, Fano, Machado, & Guimarães, 2011), which is what occurred during the first two cropping seasons. Several studies have reported the benefits of brachiaria ruziziensis on the yield of soybean (Balbinot et al, 2017;Correia, Leite, & Fuzita, 2013;Rosolem, Neto, Costa, & Grassmann, 2019), specifically improvements in production due to the high residues and roots generated by the plant. The direct benefits of soil cover on crop yields are well known and involve a reduction in thermal amplitude (Altieri et al, 2011); a decrease in soil, water, and nutrient losses from erosion (Dechen, Telles, Guimaraes, & De Maria, 2015;Engel et al, 2009); a decrease in weed infestations, particularly in weeds with herbicide resistance, such as horseweed (Conyza bonariensis) and sourgrass (Digitaria insularis; Correia et al, 2013); a break in disease cycles; and a reduction in pest infestations (Larkin, 2015).…”