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Mechanisms of interference of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on lettuce as influenced by phosphorus fertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Joan A. Dusky
Affiliation:
Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611
William M. Stall
Affiliation:
Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611
Thomas A. Bewick
Affiliation:
Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611
Donn G. Shilling
Affiliation:
Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 2725 Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703

Abstract

Greenhouse studies were conducted to assess the intensity of smooth pigweed and common purslane aboveground interference (AI) and belowground interference (BI) with lettuce and to determine primary mechanisms of interference of each species as affected by P fertility rates. Lettuce was transplanted in mixtures with either smooth pigweed or common purslane according to four partitioning regimes: no interference, full interference, BI, and AI. Soil used was low in P for optimum lettuce yields, therefore P was added at rates of 0, 0.4, and 0.8 grams of P per liter of soil. Shoot and root biomass and plant height were measured for each species, as well as P tissue content. The data obtained indicated that smooth pigweed interfered with lettuce primarily through light interception by its taller canopy. A secondary mechanism of interference was the absorption of P from the soil through luxury consumption, increasing the P tissue content without enhancing smooth pigweed biomass accumulation. In contrast, common purslane competed aggressively with lettuce for P. Because the weed grew taller than lettuce, light interception was a secondary interference factor.

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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