SUNFLOWER RESIDUES FOR WEED MANAGEMENT IN RADISH AND CARROTS

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and carrot (Daucus caraota L.) are two crops of food and commercial interest in the world and in Mexico.The presence of weeds affects crop production and quality, so it is necessary to know the species, management and control of weeds.In general, this is done through the application of herbicides that can contaminate the products and the soil.The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the application of sunflower receptacle on weeds in radish and carrots, as well as on the production and agronomic characteristics of these crops.The study was carried out in field conditions under rainfall regime in Montecillo, Texcoco, Mexico, (19 N and 98 W and 2250 masl) of temperate climate.Carrot (cultivar Nantes) and radish (ball) were planted in beds of0.80 metros by 2.0 m, in a frame of 20 cm X 20 cm.The treatments consisted of: 1) incorporation of 3.5 kg of dried and ground sunflower receptacle to the soil and 2) no incorporation of sunflower receptacle (control), with a total of 30 plants per bed.The application of sunflower residues on radish and carrot reduced the weed population.The weed species found in the crops were grasses, Galinsoga, Brassica, Urocarpidium, Chenopodium, Simsia, Portulaca, Salvia and Amaranthus.The application of sunflower residues caused increases in fresh weight, diameter and length of radish and carrot.