Alterations in the quality of light radiation caused by the presence of "neighbor plants" can trigger a series of morphology results of species in focus. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the growth of wheat, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings, in competition at the initial stages of development. Three experiments were conducted in greenhouse, in a complete randomized block design, with four replications. On the first experiment, wheat growth (cv. Fundacep Cristalino) was assessed in competition with Italian ryegrass, radish or wheat (cv. BRS Guamirim). On the second, the species studied was Italian ryegrass under competition with wheat plants (cv. Fundacep Cristalino) and radish and on the third one, radish with initial competition with wheat plants (cv. Fundacep Cristalino) and Italian ryegrass. In all experiments, an additional treatment where the main plant growths free of initial interference was included. At 15 days after seeding, plants were submitted to evaluation of plant height, root system length, stem diameter and the number of developed roots was recorded. Plant height of wheat (cv. Fundacep Cristalino) was 36% higher when cultivated in competition with Italian ryegrass. Italian ryegrass showed an increase of 172% in MSPA when competing with radish when compared to untreated check without competitors. It was concluded that initial competition based on the light radiation, once there was no limitation of water and nutrients, affect the morphophisiological characteristics of wheat (cv. Fundacep Cristalino), Italian ryegrass and radish seedlings, regardless of the competitor species in focus.
solar radiation; Triticum aestivum; Lolium multiflorum; Raphanus sativus; competitor plant
