Effects of Soil pH on Competitive Ability and Leaf Nutrient Content of Corn (Zea maysL.) and Three Weed Species

Abstract

Effects of soil pH on growth, competitive ability, and leaf nutrient content of corn (Zea maysL.), Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powelliiS. Wats. ♯ AMAPO), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastiMedic. ♯ ABUTH), and green foxtail [Setaria viridis(L.) Beauv. ♯ SETVI] were measured in the field. Corn yields were significantly reduced by weed competition at all pH levels, but leaf nutrient content, as a percentage of dry weight, was not affected. Aboveground dry weights of Powell amaranth and velvetleaf were significantly lower at pH 4.8 than at pH 6.0 or 7.3, whereas growth of green foxtail was greater at pH 4.8 than at pH 7.3. Weed competitive ability, as evidenced by reductions in dry weight, varied with soil pH and companion plant. Powell amaranth and velvetleaf had higher levels of S, Zn, and especially Mn, at pH 4.8 than at pH 7.3. N and K in the leaf tissue were greater in the weed species than in corn at all soil pH levels. The dicot species had higher percentages of Ca and Mg in leaf tissue at all soil pH levels and accumulated higher percentages of Mn at low pH than the monocot species.