This work hypothesizes economic aspects, such as weed control cost and grain price, should be used as criteria to determine weed interference periods in the crops to support weed control decisions. The weedy period based on such parameters was termed weedy period prior to economic loss (WEEPPEL). A mathematical model was developed based on the abovementioned economic aspects, model parameters were searched in the literature, and simulations performed. The simulation results allowed confirming the hypothesis that weed control cost and grain price are good criteria to determine weed interference periods. WEEPPEL decreases with increasing crop grain prices, or decreasing weed control costs, or increasing crop potential yield, suggesting that under these conditions very early weed control is economically justifiable. This research points some limitations found in the scientific literature, and suggests alternatives for determination of WEEPPEL and other periods.
soybean; corn; weed competition; interference
