Buckwheat, alternative as second crop during the Summer and the Autumn in Southern Brazil: a crop review

Buckwheat is known for its aptitude as green manure, as it increases soil’s physical and chemical properties at the same time it has none or very few fertilization requirements besides a fast canopy closure and has no ravagers or natural enemies documented in Brazil. This crop has the potential to fill an empty period known as the “Autumn gap” in Southern Brazil, which is characterized by the low or no forage offer at all, justified by the fact its forage has the same quality as that of a grass forage, besides, its grains, highly nutritious, can also be consumed by humans, ruminants, or non-ruminants. This review aims to provide relevant information about recent buckwheat research to make it a viable alternative for the Autumn gap.