Abstract

An experiment was conducted to quantify the effect of different weed control intensities (WCI) during the first three growing seasons in a Pinus radiata plantation. At the end of the third growing season, results showed that stem volume index of check plants was similar to that of plants that received spot applications in the first and second year. On the other hand, when plots were treated with herbicide spot application (first year) plus band or total area application (second year), the stem volume index was two and three times larger, respectively. However, if the first year WCI consisted of total area application, the second and third year treatment had less effect on yield. The largest biomass yield was obtained when plots were submitted to total area WCI during the first and second year. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.