Critical period for weed competition with wheat

Abstract

Several factors limit wheat crop yield, with competition imposed by weed plants being the most outstanding. The objective of this study was to determine the critical period of weed interference in wheat crop and the effects of competition on morphological variables and yield components. This field experiment was carried out at Centro Agropecuário da Palma, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil. Factors tested were periods of coexistence and weed plant control in FUNDACEP 52 wheat cultivar. Periods of coexistence and/or control were: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 126 days after emergence (DAE). Results obtained for variables at the end of each control period or coexistence, and at harvesting, showed that wheat yield components were not affected by competition with weed plants and that effective control measures should be taken between 12 and 24 days after emergence.