Title:
Yield Reduction from Weed Competition in a Mature Crop of Giant Reed
Author(s):
Cano-Ruiz, J., Curt, M.D., Aguado, P.L., Mauri, P.V.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
There is little knowledge on the effect of weeds on recently developed crops, such as the giant reed (Arundo donax L.) crop. Literature data show that weeds are detrimental in the first and the second growing cycle of this crop but it is not known if this effect extends to the following years. The present work is a follow-up study of a published research on the effect of three weeding treatments on giant reed. Results showed that the performance of the crop in the third growth cycle followed a pattern similar to the previous two years. The driver for yield reductions in the third crop cycle was likely the growth delay caused by weeds competition in the establishment year and the first productive cycle of the crop. Yield reduction was estimated at 53 % as an average of the three years, providing evidence of the importance of timely weeding of the A.donax crop when it is grown under a Xeric Mediterranean environment in irrigated conditions.
Keywords:
agriculture, biomass, perennial energy crops, Arundo donax
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass crops and energy grasses
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.5.1
Pages:
346 - 349
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-1DV.5.1
Price:
FREE
