Competition for Light by Broadleaf Weeds in Soybeans (Glycine max)

Abstract

Common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr. ♯ XANPE), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastiMedic. ♯ ABUTH), and jimsonweed (Datura stramoniumL. ♯ DATST) are weeds that grow taller than soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] and compete for limited resources such as light. These weeds have an average area of influence of 0.5 m2, thus a density of 1 to 2 plants/m2forms a full canopy of weed leaves above the soybeans that intercept 44 to 56% of the sunlight. Shade of 44 to 56% without weeds, placed above soybeans late in the season corresponding to times of weed shading, reduced soybean yield 19 to 26%. Since reported soybean yield reductions at weed densities of 0.7 to 2.5 plants/m2were 18 to 54% for common cocklebur and 12 to 31% for jimsonweed and velvedeaf, it was concluded that most of the interference from jimsonweed and velvetleaf infestations in soybeans could be ascribed to competition for light, but only about one-half the interference was due to competition for light for common cocklebur. Soybean photosynthesis in the field was reduced about twice as much as soybean yield at equivalent levels of shading.