Emergency dynamics of spring-summer weeds in Villa Mercedes, San Luis, Argentina

Abstract

The climate of Villa Mercedes is semi-arid, with concentrated rainfall in the summer. Weeds are one of the main factors of crop yield reduction. This work aims at establishing the emergence dynamics of spring-season weeds in the area of Villa Mercedes (San Luis). The %Em and TT of each species were calculated to determine the dynamics of emergence. As a result, the emergence dynamics of 7 species was studied: Bassia coparia, Chenopodium album, Digitaria sanguinalis, Eleusine indica, Euphorbia dentata, Portulaca oleracea and Salsola kali. The results show that emergence flows occur after rainfall, and that the weeds in the sample do not have the same emergence dynamics nor the same thermic time. Studies should be continued to obtain further knowledge of emergence dynamics in our area that will allow us to develop future management guidelines.