Fertilizer Placement Affects Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) Competition In Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract

A 3-yr study was conducted in eastern Wyoming from 1995 to 1997 to evaluate the effect of fertilizer placement on jointed goatgrass competitiveness with winter wheat. Fertilizer placement methods consisted of applying 45 kg/ha of nitrogen (50% as urea and 50% as ammonium nitrate) in a deep band 5 cm below and 2.5 cm to the side of the wheat row, broadcasting on the soil surface, or injecting fertilizer by spoke wheel 10 cm deep and 5 cm to the side of the wheat row. Neither fertilizer placement nor jointed goatgrass presence affected winter wheat stand. Wheat yield reductions from jointed goatgrass competition were 7 and 10% higher with the broadcast than deep-band or spoke-wheel injection methods, respectively. Wheat spikes/plant, seeds/spike, 200-seed weight, and plant height were not influenced by fertilizer placement; however, the presence of 35 jointed goatgrass plants/m2reduced spikes/plant 21%, seeds/spike 12%, and 200-seed weight 6%. Jointed goatgrass populations were not influenced by fertilizer placement method; however, the number of spikes/plant was reduced 8 and 10%, joints/spike 3%, and biomass 15 and 21% by deep band or spoke wheel fertilizer placement.