The second set of experiments, usually termed weed-free experiments, is conducted on crops

that are kept weed free for certain periods of time. The weeds are removed for various periods of time after crop emergence. For example, weeds may not be allowed to emerge in the
crop until I wk after crop emergence, 2 wk after crop emergence, and so on. The resulting crop
yield data determine the length of time that a crop must be kept weed free in order not to lose
yield. This point marks the end of the critical period t Figure 1.2). An ideal time for treatment
is at the start of lilt- critical period; in other words, treatment must be early enough so that
weeds emerging with the crop do not reduce yield wk in Figure 1.2). The treatment (or
subsequent treatments) must last long enough to control weeds up to the time when newly
emerging weeds no longer have an impact on yield (6 wk in Figure 1.2). The timing of the
critical period of weed control varies with the crop species and its abil-ity to compete with
weeds, the level of infesta-tion. growing conditions, and even character-istics of the site. In
some cases, the beginning of the critical period has not been easy to detc.r rrlrie. For example,
the beginning of the critical period for weed control of annual weeds in corn in southern
Ontario was extremely variable ranging from the 3- to the 14-leaf stages of corn development;
however, the end of the critical period was relatively consistent at the 14-leaf stage (Hall et
al. 1992). Although it was difficult to tell when control measures should be initi- ated, any
weed-control efforts taken after the 14-leaf stage had little effect on crop yield. On the other
hand, some experimental data appear to be relatively clear cut. For example, the critical
period for johnsongrass control was determined to be between 3 and 6.5 wk after corn
emergence in Texas (Ghosheh et al. 1996).
In some cases, the beginning of the critical period is at or even before crop emergence. This is
particularly true of noncompetitive crops, in sites with heavy weed pressure, or in no-till systems in which weeds are present and established at planting. In cotton, which is not a very
competitive crop, lint yield was reduced 11.2% for each week that removal of ivyleaf
morningglory was delayed up to 9.5 wk. Only 0.2 % per week was lost for each week of
competition after 9.5 wk (Rogers et al. 1996). Thus, weed removal starting at the time of
emergence was essential to avoid significant yield losses. For a relatively competitive crop
such as potatoes growing inquackgrass-infested fields in Quebec, levels of weed pressure, as
measured by weed density,