Ischaemum rugosum is one of the most important weeds in rice crop in the State of Maranhão. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the growth of I. rugosum cultivated in pots at three levels of shading (70%, 60% and 10%), which were harvested at 7, 14, 35, 42, 56, 70, 91, 112 and 133 days after emergence (DAE). At each sampling date dry matter of leaves, culms and roots, and leaf area were determined. Leaf, culm and root dry matter accumulation were reduced by the highest level of shading. Root biomass increased as a function of solar radiation. Both leaf area and the relative growth rate were greater in plants grown at 60 and 70% shading. Nevertheless, the net assimilation rate (EA) were greater at the lowest shading levels. Shading affected assimilate partitioning, under low shading the roots were the preferred sinks during the vegetative period, and the culms at the reproductive one. Thicker leaves were observed at the lower reduction of solar radiation.
Growth analysis; weed; Brazil; rice