Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T01:54:38.562Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Competition of Forage Species with Canada Thistle, as Affected by Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Frank P. Thrasher
Affiliation:
Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Clee S. Cooper
Affiliation:
Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jesse M. Hodgson
Affiliation:
Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Get access

Abstract

Of the grasses studied over a 3-year period, Alta tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was most competitive and Troy bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) least competitive with Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Ladino white clover was more competitive than birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) when present in full stands. Winter-killing of Ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.) resulted in an increase in Canada thistle, particularly at low irrigation levels. Irrigation favored an increase in Canada thistle numbers in the year the grass stands were established. In the next two years thistle numbers declined more rapidly on irrigated than on non-irrigated plots. High rates of nitrogen increased the competitive ability of the grasses.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1963 Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Cooper, C. S. 1961. A comparison of birdsfoot trefoil and Ladino clover under varying irrigation and fertility levels. Agron. J. 53:180183.Google Scholar
2. Cooper, C. S., Klages, M. G., and Schulz-Schaeffer, J. 1962. Performances of six grass species under different irrigation and nitrogen treatments. Agron. J. 54:283288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Hodgson, J. M. 1958. Canada thistle control with cultivation, cropping, and chemical sprays. Weeds 6:110.Google Scholar
4. Lee, O. C. 1952. Canada thistle control. Purdue Univ. Agr. Ext. Serv. Ext. Leaflet 345.Google Scholar
5. Mather, H. J. 1951. Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle control. Circ. No. 13. Line Elevators Farm Serv. Winnipeg, Manitoba.Google Scholar
6. McKay, H. C., Hodgson, J. M., and Erickson, L. C. 1959. Control Canada thistle for greater profits. Idaho Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 321.Google Scholar
7. Pavlychenko, T. K. 1940. Investigations relating to weed control in Western Canada. Imp. Bur. Pastures and Forage Crops, Aberystwyth, Wales, Great Britain. Herbage Pub. Serv. Bull. 27.Google Scholar
8. Rasmussen, L. W. 1956. The effects of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T applications on the stand density of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) Weeds 4:343348.Google Scholar
9. Seely, C. J. 1952. Controlling perennial weeds with tillage. Idaho Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 288.Google Scholar
10. Welton, F. A., Morris, V. H., Hartzler, A. J. 1929. Organic food reserves in relation to the eradication of Canada thistle. Ohio Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 441.Google Scholar