Variability of weed infestation in two wheat varieties (Triticum Aestivum L.). II - as influenced by their weed competition characteristics

Abstract

Weed competitiveness of crops and/or varieties can be an important tool for weed management. In this study, the effect of plant height and tillering capacity of two wheat varieties was analyzed regarding their contribution to weed competitiveness.

The observations were carried out over four years (1996/97 to 1999/00) in a field trial on seeding dates and weed control in two wheat varieties (Sever and Centauro) on the Herdade da Revilheira, municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz.

The results show that the two parameters plant height and tillering rate are positively related to crop yield and that there is a negative correlation with the number of weeds, especially grass weeds. Thus it can be concluded that the characteristics of plant height and tillering rate are positively related to the capacity of the wheat crop to compete with weed infestation.