Growth of Common Purslane as Influencing Control and Importance as a Weed

Abstract

A higher population of common purslane(Portulaca oleraceaL.) developed on a smooth seedbed than a rough seedbed. Purslane germinated best when the seed were placed on the soil surface, and the percentage germination decreased progressively as depth of seed placement increased. Growth of common purslane was greater at elevated nutrient levels and was dependent on adequate phosphorus in the nutrient media. High soil temperature requirements for optimum germination make common purslane a middle to late-growing season weed in the central United States. Often preemergence herbicides which are effective on common purslane have become ineffective by the time the common purslane population has developed, and postemergence herbicides which do not injure the individual crop species must be relied on for common purslane control.