Abstract
ABSTRACT: Composition and level of weed infestation interfere with crop yield and increase production costs. This study aimed to identify weed composition and infestation in corn grown with different plant populations, single, and intercropped with palisade grass. The phytosociological method was used to evaluate density, frequency, dominance, and infestation level of weeds in single and intercropped corn, a with conventional (0.90 m) and reduced (0.45 m) spacing, and low and high plant population in Dourados, MS, Brazil. Commelina benghalensis, Echinochloaspp., and Euphorbia heterophylla were the species most found in the treatments. Single corn with higher plant population decreased weed occurrence. Treatments with palisade grass under a reduced spacing showed lower absolute weed infestation (about 75%) when compared to single corn. Weed infestation was lower in the intercropping of corn with palisade grass, with more pronounced effect under a reduced spacing.
Highlights
The presence of weeds is among the biotic factors related to corn yield loss, and the degree of infestation may cause damage to crop productivity and quality mainly due to competition for water, light, and nutrients
The main management adopted for weed control is chemical due to its efficiency
Larger plant populations can interfere with water and nutrient use efficiency, assisting in controlling undesirable species (Merotto Junior et al, 1997)
Summary
The presence of weeds is among the biotic factors related to corn yield loss, and the degree of infestation may cause damage to crop productivity and quality mainly due to competition for water, light, and nutrients. Maintaining the minimum interference level possible favors crop and ensures productivity in weed management. The main management adopted for weed control is chemical due to its efficiency. This management is not always sufficient to control the interference of weed species when used alone (Dan et al, 2010). Integration of management practices assists in weed control, and intercropping of corn with forages is an efficient practice due to their rapid mass production (Freitas et al, 2013), which hinders germination and establishment of other plants. Larger plant populations can interfere with water and nutrient use efficiency, assisting in controlling undesirable species (Merotto Junior et al, 1997)
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