The competitive ability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) compared to rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and cowcockle (Vaccaria hispanica)

Abstract

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to study competition between wheat and rigid ryegrass or between wheat and cowcockle using additive series and growth analysis. Wheat was the dominant competitor with either weed. One wheat plant was as competitive as 1 1 or 19 rigid ryegrass plants in greenhouse and field experiments, respectively. One wheat plant was as competitive as three to 24 cowcockle plants, depending on environmental conditions. Dry weight of roots, leaves, stems, and spikes or capsules responded similarly to the effects of competition between wheat and rigid ryegrass or cowcockle. Shoot dry weight was the easiest, fastest, and least expensive component to measure competition. Growth analyses of individual plants showed that wheat had a greater leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, and absolute growth rate than rigid ryegrass or cowcockle, particularly early in the season. A range of 120 to 240 wheat plants m−2can minimize rigid ryegrass or cowcockle competition and achieve an acceptable grain yield in semiarid areas in Morocco.