Production and Nutrient Accumulation of Common Bean Cultivars under Competition with Weed

Abstract

Improper management of weeds is one of the causes of low bean yield, as it is very susceptible to interference due to their slow initial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dayflower on grain yield and nutrient accumulation of bean cultivars. The experiment was carried out in a screened house, in 5 L pots, in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme. Factor 1 corresponded to the presence or absence of weeds, and factor 2 bean cultivars: BRS Pontal, BRS Agreste, BRS Ametista and BRS Estilo. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five replications. The coexistence of bean and weed was maintained throughout the crop cycle. Chlorophyll content, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, nutrients contents (N - nitrogen, P - phosphorus, K - potassium, Ca - calcium, Mg - magnesium, Mn - manganese, Fe - iron and Zn - zinc) in grains were evaluated. Competition with weeds negatively influenced chlorophyll content, number of pods, yield and N content in grains. The interaction was significant to P, Mg and Fe contents in grains, demonstrating that competition with weeds may impair allocation of these nutrients, resulting in grains of inferior nutritional quality. The cultivar BRS Agreste was more efficient to accumulate P and Mg in grains in competition with dayflower.