The effects of four intervals bf manual/hoeing compared to chemical/herbicides weeding were studied in coffee yield plantations for the 1959-1973 period. The treatments were: a) weeding intervals of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days; b) application of herbicides (three times per year). The results showed that there were no differences between manual and chemical weeding in coffee beans production. The procedure of the 45th day interval between weedings showed better effect on coffee yield and was the least expensive. The intense weed development between the 45th and 60th day interval between weedings increased the costs of the successive weeding. Higher P absorption by weed plants was found when the weeds reached the flowering and/or maturing stage of growth.
coffee; crop management; weeding