AN OVERVIEW OF CONTROLLED AND NON-CONTROLLED WEEDS AS INFLUENCED BY SUGARCANE TRASH BLANKETS

摘要

The research in this study was initiated to determine the changes in weed populations under a trash blanket in a long-term trial (six crop seasons) and to determine the minimum level of residue for adequate weed control. Treatments consisted of residue levels of 100%, 66%, 33%, and 0% of the initial residue remaining after harvest. As the residue level decreased from 100% to 0%, weed control also decreased. Trash quantities above 66% of the total (approximately 7.5 t/ha, dry weight basis) controlled annual weeds with efficiencies above 90%. The development of weed populations in terms of plants per square metre was slower in the treatments when 100% and 66% of the residue was allowed to remain.