A study was undertaken in Canoinhas, Santa Catarina, Brazil, during 2004/05 season to evaluate the effect of cover crop desiccation time in relation to maize sowing on the weed infestation and maize yield. Ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum) as a single crop and in an intercropping system (rye grass+black oat ( Avena strigosa [ A. nuda])+rye+common vetch ( Vicia sativa)+oilseed radish) were desiccated 5 times at 1, 10 20 and 30 days before maize sowing. Cover crop management near maize sowing decreased the density and mass accumulation of weeds and improved the maize grain yield.