Light quantity is one of the main causes of competition between weed and crops. Also, weeds can change light quality in the community thus decreasing crop development. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of light quality, produced artificially by lamps or naturally by weeds, on initial soybean and rice development. The first experiment consisted of variation of light quality from artificial and natural sources, weed competition and crop residues on the soil. The second experiment consisted of variation of weed competition in time, between rows and broadcast, and of devices placed inside the soil and along the rice crops to eliminate water and nutrient competition. Far-red light increased soybean plant height at 25 days after emergence (DAE). The presence of weeds until 15 and 16 DAE decreased rice and soybean growth, respectively. The effects of light quality alone, from weeds and isolated by the inter-row devices, decreased dry matter, and growth stage/tillering of rice plants at 15 and 29 DAE. The weeds can be considered as a factor that changes light quality, thus interfering in the initial crop development.
soybean; rice; far-red light
