Potencial competitivo de cultivares de soja em relação às plantas daninhas

The use of cultural methods in conservationist agricultural system is important for weed management, since it decreases the amount of the chemical products applied. The use of more competitive cultivars seems to be one of the most important weed management methods, which valid for soybean as well as other crops. Two field experiments were carried out to evaluate the competitive potential of soybean varieties, among those officially recommended for southwestern Goias, against weeds in Rio Verde,GO aiming to propose the cultivation of better-quality varieties in areas with high weed pressure. Four short-season soybean varieties were evaluated in experiment 1: (Monsoy 6101, Monsoy 8001, Emgopa 316 and Coodetec 204) and four medium-season soybean varieties in experiment 2 (Conquista, Coodetec 211, Emgopa 315 and Vencedora). All the cultivars were evaluated under both weed management systems, i.e., manual weed control (absence of weeds) and no weed control (presence of weeds). At the 16th, 25th and 46th days after sowing (DAS), both plant height and plant dry matter were evaluated; at the 63rd DAS, the percentage of soil covered by the soybean cultivars was evaluated and at the end of the plant season, yield was evaluated. All the cultivars displayed yield reduction in the system with no weed control. However, Emgopa 316 and Coodetec 204 were found to be the most competitive among the short-season cultivars. Among the medium-season cultivars, Emgopa 315 showed the same tendency. Therefore, these two varieties are the most recommended to be cultivated in areas with high weed pressure.