A field trial was carried out in São João da Boa Vista, SP, to determine the critical time of weed removal and the critical weed-free period in sugarcane. The crop was planted on April 1995, at the beginning of the dry season. The species composing the weed community varied during the growing season. However, Brachiaria decumbens and Panicum maximum were the most important ones. Dry matter accumulated by the weed community increased during the entire period. Weed interference in sugarcane caused 40% of yield loss. Sugarcane grew along with the weed community up to 74 days after planting, without significant yield loss (critical time of weed removal). A minimal weed-free period of 127 days after planting was required to guarantee the sugarcane productivity (critical weed-free period). The critical period for weed control was between 74 and 127 days after planting.
Saccharum spp.; weed; competition
