Competition Between Triazine-Resistant and -Susceptible Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis)

Abstract

The relative competitiveness of triazine-resistant (TR) and -susceptible (TS) common waterhemp, as a component of fitness, was assessed using TR and TS biotypes collected from the same field in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Competition between biotypes was evaluated under greenhouse conditions using a set of replacement series experiments with five ratios of TR:TS (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:4) and four plant densities (50, 100, 150, and 300 plants m−2). No difference in final individual plant weight between TR and TS plants was observed in the absence of interbiotypic competition at all plant densities examined. Interbiotypic competition was indicated by ANOVA of plant weight and modified relative crowding coefficients (RCC) for plant weight, height, and volume. Replacement series diagrams showed TS plants were more competitive than TR plants, as measured by plant weight at densities of 50, 100, and 150 plants m−2. TS and TR plants were equally competitive at 300 plants m−2. Individual TS plant weight for 50, 100, and 150 plants m−2was greatest at the 3:1 ratio (TR:TS) and decreased as the proportion of susceptible plants increased. Individual TR plant weight for 50, 100, and 150 plants m−2was greatest at the 1:0 ratio and decreased as the TR proportion decreased. Lack of interbiotypic competition at 300 plants m−2and decreasing TS plant weight with increasing ratios suggest intrabiotypic competition. RCC values for volume and height were calculated weekly during the experiment and indicated the competitive advantage of TS plants was constant from transplanting through harvest.