Weed interference is one of the main limiting factors in the cowpea yield. In this sense, we aimed to determine the periods of weed interference in the cowpea crop in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais. The treatments were arranged in a 2 x 10 factorial scheme, with two factors: coexistence and control of weed and ten periods: 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 days after emergence (DAE) subjected to control and coexistence. The evaluated characteristics were dry weight of weeds and the cowpea, weight of 100 grains and yield, which was fitted to the exponential model and the periods of interference of the weed community were determined. The period before interference (PBI) occurred up to 20 DAE, with weed control having to be performed up to 32 DAE. The critical period for weed control (CPWC) was from 21 to 32 days after emergence of the crop. The cowpea bean yield reduced 73.5% with the weed interactions during the whole cycle, under conditions of the semi-arid of Minas Gerais.

Cowpea is one of the pulse crops that present the highest potential for growing in the Semiarid region of Brazil. Lowcost vegetable protein source, it has resilience to adverse conditions, however, in competition with weeds, its productivity can be strongly compromised. To overcoming this situation, it is essential for integrated management programs to determine the critical period for preventing interference. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine weed interference periods and the effect of coexistence periods on cowpea grain yield in the Semiarid region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in a 2×9 factorial scheme, as follows: cultivation in coexistence with weeds and cultivation under weed control, for nine crescent periods (0-7, 0-14, 0-21, 0-28, 0-35, 0-42, 0-49, 0-56 and 0-63 days after crop emergence), in a randomized experimental block design with four replications. The weed community was studied through phytosociological survey and evaluation of dry matter production and cowpea was evaluated for dry matter production, 100-grain mass and grain yield. The interference periods were determined using a non-linear logistic regression model. The weed community found was composed of 70% dicotyledonous and 30% monocotyledon plants, distributed in seven families and ten species. The coexistence with weeds results in losses of up to 90% in cowpea grain yield. The critical period of weed control in cowpea crop in the Semiarid region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is 11 to 36 days after crop emergence.