Weed Interference in the Development of the Cassava Plant

One of the factors affecting the development of the cassava plant is the inadequate control of weeds. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the development of the cassava plant under weed interference during different coexistence periods. Two experiments were installed in adjacent areas, in Vicosa, Minas Gerais - Brazil. In the first experiment, the treatments consisted of different periods of coexistence between the cassava culture and the weeds (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 days after planting). In the second experiment, the cassava plants remained weed-free for the same pre-established periods. For both experiments, the 1.0 x 0.5 m spacing was adopted, being the useful portion area constituted by the two central lines, with 1.0 m being left at each extremity as front borders, adding 8.0 m(2) up. Plant height and stem diameter were evaluated twelve times after planting at: 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325 and 350 days. Plant number, root length and diameter evaluations were carried out 12 months after planting. Coexistence equal or superior to 50 day interval after planting caused drastic reduction in the stem diameter and height of the cassava plants. Weed control in cassava crop should be initiated around 25 days after planting.