Effects of density and sowing pattern on weed suppression and grain yield in three varieties of maize under high weed pressure
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Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that improved weed suppression
by maize can be achieved through increased crop
density and spatial uniformity. Field experiments on
three varieties of maize sown at three densities (5, 7
and 10.5 seeds m
2) and in two spatial patterns (grid
pattern and rows) under very high weed pressure from
Brachiaria brizantha were performed in 2012 and 2013.
We measured weed biomass 1 month after sowing and
at harvest, and grain yield at harvest. Density, variety
and sowing pattern all had strong and significant
effects on both weed biomass and yield. On average,
weed biomass was reduced (by 72% in the first year
and 58% in the second year), and grain yield was
increased (by 48% and 44%) at the highest density in
the grid pattern compared with standard sowing
practices (medium density, row pattern). There was a
significant density 9 variety interaction, which is evidence
for genetic differences in the response of the varieties
to density in characteristics that influence weed
suppression. The variety that suppressed weeds best at
high density had the lowest variation in the angle of
insertion of the oldest living leaf at harvest (leaf 6),
supporting the hypothesis that reduced phenotypic
plasticity may be advantageous for weed suppression
under high density and spatial uniformity. Increased
density and uniformity can contribute to weed management
in maize in many cases, potentially reducing the
need for herbicides or mechanical weed control.
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- Año 2014 [107]
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