The effects of the coexistence of weed communities on table beet yield during early crop development

Leonardo Bianco Carvalho,Robinson Antonio Pitelli,Silvano Bianco,Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho,Caio Dória Guzzo

doi:10.4025/actasciagron.v32i4.4649

Leonardo Bianco Carvalho, Robinson Antonio Pitelli + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v32i4.4649

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Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effects of initial weedy periods on the weed community and on the productivity of direct seeded and transplanted table beet cropping systems. A field trial was conducted at Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, in a randomized complete block design using a 2 x 13 factorial scheme. Direct seeding and seedling transplanting methods were evaluated within thirteen increasing weekly weedy periods. Weed relative importance was calculated and weed density and weed dry matter accumulation data were analyzed by nonlinear regression as well as beet yield and stand, which were submitted to analysis of variance. Amaranthus viridis, Coronopus didymus, Cyperus rotundus, Digitaria nuda, Galinsoga parviflora and Nicandra physaloides were the most important weeds found, with special reference to C. didymus. Weed dry matter accumulation was greater in the direct seeded crop, although weed density was higher in the transplanted crop. Transplanted beet yield was greater than of direct seeded beet in the weed-free treatment during the whole crop cycle. Crop-weed coexistence could remain for four and seven weeks after seeding/transplanting in direct seeded and in transplanted beet, respectively, before reducing yield economically. Thus, direct seeded crop was more susceptible to weed interference than the transplanted one.

Highlights

Table beet crop (Beta vulgaris) has gained importance during the last ten years in Brazil
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of increasing initial weedy periods on weed community and on direct seeded and transplanted table beet productivity
The main species have been frequent weeds infesting vegetable crops (ZANATTA et al, 2006), among them A. viridis, C. didymus and G. parviflora had already been reported as important weeds in table beet crop (DEUBER et al, 2004; HORTA et al, 2004)

Summary

Introduction

Table beet crop (Beta vulgaris) has gained importance during the last ten years in Brazil. Beet root production is negatively influenced by weed community in coexistence, affecting crop yield, growth and development. Period of crop-weed coexistence is probably the main factor that influences the degree of interference among them. There is a period in which weeds may be in coexistence with the crop without any negative influence, since weed interference is not yet established (PITELLI, 1985). The knowledge of this period is essential in order to establish weed control strategies (MESCHEDE et al, 2004)

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