Comparison of Soybean (Glycine max) – Weed Interference from Large and Small Plots

Abstract

Soybean field experiments were conducted to compare weed interference data obtained from small 2.7-m2plots to that obtained from large 11-m2plots. Soybean row spacings of 15, 30, 45, and 90 cm were used. Sicklepod, common cocklebur, and soybean biomass as dry matter were harvested from small plots 10 weeks after planting and were compared to weed biomass and soybean seed yield from the large plots. Sicklepod and common cocklebur biomass in small plots increased and soybean biomass decreased as soybean row spacing increased. Soybean biomass was not affected by row spacing when weeds were not present. Sicklepod and common cocklebur biomass in large plots increased and soybean seed yield decreased as soybean row spacing increased. Soybean seed yield was not affected by row spacing when weeds were not present. Comparison of regression coefficients for paired regression lines indicates that soybean biomass from small plots may be substituted for seed yield from large plots as a measure of sicklepod or common cocklebur interference if both size plots use the same soybean row spacing and are irrigated until harvest.