Weed population dynamics in rice crops resulting from post-emergent herbicide applications

Abstract

Studies on weed population dynamics are based on observing and recording changes in weed communities in response to effects of disturbances in crop management. The present study aimed to evaluate weed population dynamics in rice crops in Tolima, Colombia, resulting from post-emergent herbicide applications. Sampling was carried out in 0.1% of the cultivated area, marking out a 1 ha area in each commercial lot. Samples were taken before and after post-emergent applications. Evaluated variables were frequency, density, and cover. The data were analyzed using the Importance Value Index (IVI). Results demonstrated that Echinochloa colona was the most important weed of all of the evaluated zones, before and after post-emergent herbicide applications. Other notable species included Digitaria ciliaris, Cyperus iria and Ischaemum rugosum. Relative frequency variable was the most influential on the importance index of the species. Furthermore, herbicide applications generated changes in the community structure in the evaluated zones and in each evaluation.