The objective of this research was to evaluate the consequences of adopting a living mulch system with forage grasses on weed infestation, dry weight and leaf area production of three weed species in corn crop. The treatments resulted from the combination between four levels of grass forage factor (Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum, and absence of forage) and three levels of the factor weeds (Ipomoea grandifolia, Amaranthus hybridus, and Digitaria horizontalis). Leaf area, dry weight, and density of weeds submitted to living under the association of corn crop and grass forages were evaluated. In general, the production system involving the association of a forage grass with corn crop reduces infestation and suppresses the growth of the weeds in the system; B. decumbens was the forage which least reduced weed infestation; the species B. brizantha was the most efficient forage in reducing I. grandifolia infestation, but it did not suppress A. hybridus growth; the forage P. maximum was the species that most reduced A. hybridus growth and D. horizontalis leaf area.
intercrop; management systems; competition; growth
