Technology Levels in Cassava Cultivation Alter Phytosociology of Weeds

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the phytosociology of weeds as a function of different crop management technology levels in cassava production. Field experiments were conducted in Santa Maria (29°41′03″ S; 53°48′25″ W) and Itaqui (lat. 29°07′31″ S; long. 56°33′11″ W), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of three technology levels: low (postemergence weeding without basal dressing); medium (weeding performed at 7 and 40 days after planting and fertilization with 6.25, 25, and 25 kg⋅ha−1 of N, P, and K, respectively); and high (postemergence application of s-metolachlor; 1250 kg⋅ha−1 of lime and 12.5, 50, and 50 kg⋅ha−1 of N, P, and K, respectively). Weed frequency, density, relative abundance, and importance values were calculated for each location. Then, locations were compared using a dissimilarity matrix. Weed density and diversity decreased linearly as technology levels increased. The predominant weed species found in Itaqui and Santa Maria belong to the Poaceae family. Itaqui presented highest weed diversity among the locations. The genus Cyperus had the highest importance value index in Santa Maria. The use of S-metolachlor at the high technology level provided a lower frequency and lower diversity of weed species than did levels without chemical control in Itaqui and Santa Maria.