Percent germination and germination rates of seeds of atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine)-resistant and -susceptible biotypes of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE) and Powell amaranth (A. powellii S. Wats. # AMAPO) from southern Ontario were compared in petri dishes using a 100-cell germination plate. The plate provided 100 separately controlled, alternating temperature combinations ranging from 0 to 45 C in increments of 5 C. The experiment was conducted under alternating light and dark conditions for 21 days and under constant dark conditions for 7 days. Initial seed viabilities exceeded 90% for all four biotypes. Under alternating light and darkness, the resistant biotype of Powell amaranth had significantly lower total germination and a slower rate of germination than the susceptible biotype, whereas the biotypes of redroot pigweed did not differ in germination response. Germination rate and total germination were positively correlated for all four biotypes. In constant darkness, the atrazineresistant biotypes of both species had significantly lower germination percentages compared to the susceptible biotypes. In general, percent germination of Powell amaranth was greater than that of redroot pigweed for day and night temperatures <25 C, whereas redroot pigweed had greater germination at higher temperatures. Greater seed dormancy of the resistant biotypes under some light and temperature combinations may have implications for the persistence of resistant populations in the field.

Effects of soil pH on growth, competitive ability, and leaf nutrient content of corn (Zea mays L.), Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. ♯ AMAPO), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ♯ ABUTH), and green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. ♯ SETVI] were measured in the field. Corn yields were significantly reduced by weed competition at all pH levels, but leaf nutrient content, as a percentage of dry weight, was not affected. Aboveground dry weights of Powell amaranth and velvetleaf were significantly lower at pH 4.8 than at pH 6.0 or 7.3, whereas growth of green foxtail was greater at pH 4.8 than at pH 7.3. Weed competitive ability, as evidenced by reductions in dry weight, varied with soil pH and companion plant. Powell amaranth and velvetleaf had higher levels of S, Zn, and especially Mn, at pH 4.8 than at pH 7.3. N and K in the leaf tissue were greater in the weed species than in corn at all soil pH levels. The dicot species had higher percentages of Ca and Mg in leaf tissue at all soil pH levels and accumulated higher percentages of Mn at low pH than the monocot species.