This study aimed to evaluate the decomposition of the residual dry mass and the initial release of nitrogen from different coverages winter for the subsequent cultivation of maize. The work was conducted in Major Vieira, SC, on a family property. The experimental design was a randomized block, with five treatments (alternative soil cover) and three replications. The treatments: (a) consortium of oat ( Avena strigosa)+ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum)+vetch ( Vicia spp.)+vesiculoso clover ( Trifolium vesiculosum), with grazing and nitrogen fertilization (100 kg of N); (b) Grassland of black oat+ryegrass+vetch+clover vesiculoso, with grazing and without nitrogen fertilization; (c) coverage (oat+ryegrass+vetch+vesiculoso clover), without grazing and without nitrogen fertilization; (d) forage turnip ( Raphanus sativus), without grazing and without nitrogen fertilization, and (e) fallow (control). The rate of decay was measured through pockets of decomposition (litter bags), collected in seven seasons during the corn crop. The turnip forage was the treatment that was more difficult to decompose according to their chemical characteristics. This limited the supply of nitrogen for the corn crop. Treatment coverage consortium made rapid initial release of N and thus was considered the most appropriate for use in succession with the corn crop. The grazing influenced the release of nitrogen, mainly by the lower amount of total dry mass produced. The grain yield of maize was not influenced by soil cover.
