Determination of weed competition critical period in 'Pérola' pineapple

Abstract

In order to determine the critical period of weed competition in pineapple culture cv. Peróla, two trials were conducted at the Estação Experimental “Rio Seco" and "Conceição do Almeida", BA, Brazil, from 1979 to 1981, both planted in single rows, in the spacing of 90cm x 40cm. The experiments were designed in randomized blocks, with ten treatments and four replications. The study was based on the weed control during different periods of the culture cycle through manual plowing as compared to herbicide + additional manual plowing, and no weed control. The weed competition between planting and flowering reflected negatively in the yield, specially during the first five months after planting. The plots with no weed control produced very small fruits, without any commercial value. Weed control after flowering did not affect fruit size and quality. To produce fruit with adequate characteristics for in natura market (weight above 1,300 g), it is recommended to control the weed during the first 12 months of plant age.