The use of cover crops has proved to be a promising strategy in soil decompaction. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the morphophysiological characteristics of maize plants ( Zea mays L.), Urochloa ruziziensis and Panicum maximum growing in soil with or without subsurface compaction. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, adopting the factorial scheme 4 x 2, being three cover crops (single corn, U. ruziziensis, P. maximum - BRS Zuri) and a corn-U. ruziziensis intercrop grown in soil with and without compaction in the layer of 10-15 cm of depth, with four replications. Physiological and morphological variables and dry matter accumulation of roots and shoots were evaluated. Subsurface compaction reduced the shoot dry mass of U. ruziziensis, corn-U. ruziziensis and single corn. The U. ruziziensis and single corn plants had a reduction in the dry mass of roots in different layers of depth and in conditions of subsurface compaction. The U. ruziziensis and P. maximum grasses showed higher photosynthetic rate when growing in compacted soil. Corn was the species most sensitive to subsurface compaction, showing the greatest reduction in physiological parameters and biomass accumulation. The corn-U. ruziziensis intercrop minimizes the damage of soil compaction to maize plants. P. maximum grass is a promising species to be cultivated in compacted soils, as it demonstrates good adaptability and resistance to this condition; the U. ruziziensis is an efficient species in soils without subsurface compaction.

来源平台：BRAZILIAN ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY