Influence of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) Time of Emergence and Density on White Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Abstract

Common ragweed is a major problem in white bean production systems in Ontario. The influence of time of emergence and density of common ragweed on white bean growth and seed yield was examined in Ontario at Elora in 1990, and at Woodstock and Staffa in 1991 and 1992. Ragweed emerged with white bean seedlings (VE) and at the second trifoliate stage of white bean (V3). Time of ragweed emergence and weed density affected white bean yield at all locations. When 1.5 ragweed seedlings m−1of row emerged at the VE stage of crop growth 10 to 22% seed yield loss occurred. Yield losses of 4 to 9% occurred when 1.5 ragweed seedlings m−1of row emerged at the V3 crop stage. Yield loss parameter estimates, i.e., the predicted weed-free crop yield (YWF) and the maximum yield loss (A), varied among locations and with time of ragweed emergence, whereas the parameter for yield loss at low weed density (I) was more consistent across all locations and times of weed emergence. Although I values were relatively consistent across locations and times of ragweed emergence, the standard errors associated with each estimate were large. White bean leaf area index, above-ground biomass and pod number m−2were affected most by ragweed interference. White bean density, number of seeds per pod, and seed weight per plant were not affected by ragweed interference. Ragweed emerging at VE and V3 produced a maximum of 6000 and 1000 seeds m−2, respectively. Time of ragweed emergence may be more important than weed density when evaluating weed control options.