Adaptation of Johnsongrass

Abstract

Twelve different johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.) clones were selected from four different regions of the United States and were grown in the greenhouse. The johnsongrass clones grew differently depending upon the environment from which they were originally obtained, suggesting that geographical ecotypes of johnsongrass exist. The parameter of growth most closely correlated to the latitude from which the plants were obtained was the time required for floral initiation. Plants from a more northern latitude consistently flowered earlier than plants obtained from a more southern latitude. Differences in height, stem number, and the weight of rhizomes, shoots, and roots also supported the hypotheses that geographical ecotypes of johnsongrass exist. Susceptibility to dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) appeared not to be correlated to the latitude from which the plants were obtained.