The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of interference of Brachiaria plantaginea at different densities and control periods in rice yield components and grain yield. The experiment was conducted in Santo Antônio de Posse-SP, Brazil, in a completely randomized block design, with six replications, in a 7 x 4 factorial. Treatments consisted of seven control periods, expressed in days after B. plantaginea emergence (DAE): Control - 0 DAE; 7 DAE, 14 DAE; 21 DAE; 28 DAE, 35 DAE, and without weed control, combined with four weed densities: 1, 5, 25 and 90 plants m-2. B. plantaginea dry matter and rice yield components and grain yield were evaluated. Dry matter production of B. plantaginea increased significantly as the control period was delayed, at all weed densities. Increasing control periods and weed densities decreased rice yield components and, consequently, grain yield. Amongst other factors, the interference of B. plantaginea in rice depends on its density and period of coexistence.
Oryza sativa; alexandergrass; control periods; weed density
