Abstract
Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) is one of the 50 most consumed fruits in the world. However, weed competition compromises fruit production in cultivation areas. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the competitive interaction between guava plants and common infesting species on initial growth. Guava seedlings were cultivated during 60 days with Bidens subalternans DC., Waltheria indica L. or Commelina benghalensis L. in a randomized block design with four replicates. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse condition from February to May 2017 in Mossoro city, Brazil. The following variables were analysed: number of leaves; shoot and root length; stem diameter; root, stem, shoot and total dry mass; and leaf area. As a result, only guava plants suffered negative effects on growth due to the competition. W. indica and C. benghalensis were the most competitive species, reducing the number of leaves, leaf area and total dry matter of guava plants. However, guava and W. indica produced more root biomass when in competition. In contrast, B. subalternans and C. benghalensis was not affected by the presence of guava. In conclusion, competition with W. indica or C. benghalensis reduces the growth of guava after transplanting.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.