Cauliflower Cultivars Associated with Urochloa decumbens Straw Mulch in Integrated Weed Management

Abstract

In vegetable farming, the reduction in the use of herbicides has been an important factor in the definition of the production system. The objective of this research was to evaluate crop yield of cauliflower cultivars grown on Urochloa decumbens straw mulch, as well as the effect of the association between straw and cultivars on weed management. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme: two managements (with or without U. decumbens straw mulch) and four cauliflower cultivars (Barcelona, Bromus, Júlia and Lisblanc). The experiment used a randomized block design with four replicates. There was no interference of straw mulch on crop yield of cauliflower cultivars. Hybrids Barcelona and Júlia presented yields of 22.0 and 23.9 t ha-1, respectively, and they did not differ from each other. The Bromus and Lisblanc materials did not adapt to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region, which resulted in reduced cultural control and high weed emergence after weeding. U. decumbens straw had high control of the weed community (581.2 pls m-2 - without straw and 8.3 pls m-2 - with straw). It is concluded that the U. decumbens straw as mulch is an effective tool in integrated management of weeds in cauliflower crops, without interfering with crop yield, and its potential to control weed community density is approximately 98.6%, at 22 days after transplanting. The adaptability of the cauliflower cultivar to the region has a high impact on weed management.

Periods of coexistence of weeds with carrot grown with and without black oat straw

“…Moreover, according to these authors, the need of weeding/tillage was reduced in the areas with straw in comparison with those without it. Hirata et al (2019) reported that Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster straw reduced the density of the weed community by 98.6%, standing out as an effective tool in the integrated management of weeds during cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cultivation, without interfering in crop yield.…”

“…However, with the increasing public concern about the use of chemicals in agricultural production, research efforts have intensified to reduce the amount of herbicides applied in carrot production (Main et al, 2013). The use of grass straw as mulch is an economically viable alternative for weed control (Hirata et al, 2019), mainly in organic crops (Bernstein et al, 2014).…”