Digitaria insularis is a perennial species that reproduces from seeds and rhizomes, being difficult to control after its first flowering. In order to define integrated management techniques to this species, its growth was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, using a pot filled with 0.003 m³ of soil. Height, leaf area and dry matter evaluations were carried out between 14 and 112 days after emergence (DAE), every 7 days, at 15 different times. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. The plant was fragmented into root+rhizome, stem and leaf. After drying at 70 ºC, leaf area and dry matter were determined. Highest leaf area and dry matter values were verified at 98 and 105 DAE, respectively. Leaves showed higher participation in dry matter total accumulation followed by roots+rhizome, up to 105 DAE. Dry matter accumulation of Digitaria insularis slowed down up to 45 DAE, increasing due to rhizome formation. Relative growth rate values decreased along time due to higher photo assimilate accumulation. Digitaria insularis showed slow growth up to 45 DAE, increasing from 45 to 105 DAE, suggesting the possibility of good cultural control by crops that have fast initial growth and large leaf area, covering the soil rapidly.
management; weed; growth rate
