Differential morphological plant characteristics may influence competition relations between crop and weeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of plants of four soybean cultivars and two other soybean cultivars, mimicking dicotyledonous weed species, on their relationships during the vegetative growth period. Thus, two experiments were carried out: one in pots, to provide data for initial soybean plant growth; and the other in the field, to monitor plant growth characteristics. The following factors and treatments were tested in the field: three competition conditions (absence of competing plants or presence of the soybean cultivars BRS 205 or Cobb), and four soybean cultivars reagent to competition (IAS 5, BR-16, CD 205, and Fepagro RS-10). Soybean cultivars showed varied emergence speed and initial plant growth. The presence of the concurrent plants, regardless of their plant characteristics, affected soybean branching. Fepagro RS-10 and BR-16 cultivars had a fast growth during the initial development period; CD 205, on the contrary, showed slow growth during this phase. Early maturity soybean cultivars cover the soil more rapidly than late maturity cultivars, during the first 45 days of growth.
competition; soybean cultivars; growth behavior; plant height
