Effect of Brachiaria Grass on Vegetative Development of Teak

ABSTRACT Invasive plants are a limiting factor for the establishment of planted teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) forests, especially because most of them are planted on Urochloa decumbens Stapf degraded pastures. This study evaluated initial teak development applying different control alternatives for U. decumbens . Treatments were no weed control (T1), continuous control of U. decumbens (T2), U. decumbens control after six months of competition (T3), and 60 cm control of U. decumbens around the seedlings (T4). The experiment was established in a pasture, containing U. decumbens, in May 2012. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four treatments and four replications. Twenty two months after transplanting the seedlings, all treatments in which seedlings had to compete with any weed competition had their growth compromised. Complete control of Urochloa was the best treatment for teak growth.