This work aimed to evaluate the effect of Brachiaria decumbens control bands on the initial development and productivity of Coffea arabica. The experiment was conducted from March 2002 to May 2004 in Cachoeiras de São Pedro Farm in Garça-SP. The coffee plants used were Mundo Novo var. 388/17. The treatments were constituted by the respective control bands: 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 cm width for each side of the cultivated line and were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The following characteristics were evaluated: height and stem base diameter of the coffee seedlings, gross production and industrialized grain production. Based on the results obtained, the minimum control band width to be used should be equal to or higher than 100 cm on each side of the plantation line in order to maintain the young coffee plants free from B. decumbens interference.
weed management Brachiaria decumbens; coffee; competion
