Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T07:30:01.083Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Competitive Effects of Quackgrass upon Corn as Modified by Fertilization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

J. D. Bandeen
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, Madison Crop Science Department, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
K. P. Buchholtz
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Get access

Abstract

A field study was made on the competitive effect of quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) on corn for the nutrients N, P, and K during 1962 and 1963. Quackgrass competition drastically reduced corn height and yield and delayed maturity. High levels of fertilization did not overcome the effects of quackgrass competition. The annual uptake by quackgrass during the growing seasons of 1962 and 1963 was 105, 15 and 60 lb/A of N, P, and K, respectively. Quackgrass shoots harvested at maturity in mid-July had taken up 55, 45, and 68% of the total N, P, and K, respectively, that was removed throughout the season by quackgrass shoots plus rhizomes. It appeared that the early season uptake of N and K by quackgrass may have contributed to, but was not solely responsible for, the reduction in corn height and yield and delayed maturity noted later in the season.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1967 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. Grummer, G. 1961. The role of toxic substances in the interrelationships between higher plants. Symposia Soc. for Exptl. Biol. No. XV:219228.Google Scholar
2. Kommedahl, T., Kotheimer, J. B., and Bernardini, J. V. 1959. The effects of quackgrass on germination and seedling development of certain crop plants. Weeds 7:112.Google Scholar
3. LeFevre, C. W. and Clagett, C. O. 1960. Concentration of a growth inhibitor from Agropyron repens (quackgrass). Proc. NEWCC 14:353356.Google Scholar
4. Meyer, B. S. and Anderson, D. B. 1952. Plant Physiology, p. 691692. D. Van Nostrand Co. Inc., New York.Google Scholar
5. Murdock, John T. 1960. Response of corn to different levels and balance of fertility. Proc. Hybrid Corn Ind. Res. Conf. 15:9396.Google Scholar
6. Ohman, J. H. and Kommedahl, T. 1960. Relative toxicity of extracts from vegetative organs of quackgrass to alfalfa. Weeds 8:666670.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Ohman, J. H. and Kommedahl, T. 1964. Plant extracts, residues, and soil minerals in relation to competition of quackgrass with oats and alfalfa. Weeds 12:222231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Palmiter, D. H. 1959. Evidence of quackgrass toxicity to apple seedlings. Phytopathology 49:228229. (Abstr.) Google Scholar
9. Welbank, P. J. 1960. Toxin production from Agropyron repens , p. 158164. In Harper, J. L. (ed.), The Biology of Weeds. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.Google Scholar
10. Welbank, P. J. 1961. A study of the nitrogen and water factors in competition with Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Ann. of Botan. N. S. 25:116137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11. Welbank, P. J. 1962. The effects of competition with Agropyron repens and nitrogen and water-supply on nitrogen content of Impatiens parviflora . Ann. of Botan. N. S. 26:361373.Google Scholar
12. Welbank, P. J. 1964. Competition for nitrogen and potassium in Agropyron repens Ann. of Botan. N. S. 28:116.Google Scholar