To evaluate the influence of vegetation coverings on soil temperature and humidity, in a medium texture red distrophic latossol, a study was conducted at CEFET-Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil from January to June 2000. A ramdomized complete split plot block design, with 3 replications was used. Eight vegetation covers were allocated to plots: pearl millet ( Pennisetum americanum [ P. glaucum] sin. tiphoides), braquiaria ( Brachiaria brizantha [ Urochloa brizantha]), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor), pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan), sun hemp ( Crotalaria juncea) and black oat ( Avena strigosa [ A. nuda]), fallow land and area under conventional system (control). In subplots, maize and soyabean were planted, after vegetation cover desiccation. No significant differences were found among vegetation coverings in relation to soil hydric regime but differences among months were observed. Effect of vegetation cover on soil temperature was shown effectively during the months of May and June, in terms of residues of cultivated crops, mainly maize. Higher values in thermal amplitude were detected under soyabean cropping. Temperatures were higher at 5 cm depth than at 10 cm, in afternoons, under maize and soyabean cultivation.
