The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of reducing the spacing between rows in periods of weed interference and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) yield. The experiment was carried out in Jaboticabal, Brazil. Treatments consisted of two row spacings (80 to 90 cm), divided into two groups. In the first group, the weeds were controlled since emergence up to 0 (constant interference), 30, 45, 60, 82, 97 and 112 days. In the second group, the weeds were allowed to grow with the peanut culture during the same periods. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with treatments in split-plots, with four repetitions. The main weeds in the area were Digitaria sp., Xanthium strumarium, Acanthospermum hispidum and Cenchrus echinatus. To an acceptable yield loss of 5%, the critical period of interference control was from 27 to 76 and from 35 to 96 days after emergence for spacing rows of 80 and 90 cm, respectively; yield reduction at the non-controlled weed plots compared to the interference-free plots was more than 80%, regardless of row spacing.
Arachis hypogaea; competition; critical period of competition
