Two experiments were carried out at Embrapa Soybean, Londrina, Paraná Brazil, to evaluate the effect of different periods of control or coexistence of weeds on sunflower crop, considering oil yield and seed yield. The experimental design was completly arranged in randomized blocks, with four replicates. The treatments for both experiments were maintaining the crop either with or without weeds for 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 49, 56, 70, 84 and 118 days after crop emergence (DAE), during the entire cycle. The weed comunity was composed by hairy beggarticks (Bidens subalternans) and volunteer wheat. Weed densities and dry matter weight were determined, as well as oil yield and grain yield. Weed presence caused a yield daily loss of 1.1 and 2.5 kg ha¹ of oil yield and seed yield, respectively, whereas weed absence provided a daily gain of 6.5 kg ha¹ for oil yield and 14.4 kg ha-1 for seed yield. Weed crop coexistence for up to 21 DAE did not cause any negative effect on oil and seed yields, and the maximum length of time in which the weeds had to be controlled to prevent crop yield losses was 30 days after emergence. The critical period of interference was from 21 to 30 DAE.
Helianthus annuus; Bidens subalternans; volunteer wheat; competition
