No abstract

Rumex crispus and R. obtusifolius are known to be nitrophilous but it is not known whether either or both species require a high N supply at all developmental stages. Furthermore, it is not clear whether both species require a high P supply, attain flowering in the seeding year, or have similar levels of winter resistance. The effect of nutrient availability on the emergence, growth and over-wintering of both Rumex species was investigated in a pot experiment (ten N, P and K fertilizer treatments) in Prague, Czech Republic. In both species, emergence of seedlings was negatively affected by very high N, but positively affected by increased P availability in the soil. No effect of K supply on the emergence, or subsequent growth, was recorded. High flowering in the seeding season and high winter mortality of R. obtusifolius contrasted with no flowering and no mortality of R. crispus. Over-wintering was not markedly affected by N, P or K supply. Both Rumex species are sensitive to a very high N supply in early developmental stages but tend to require a high N supply from the fully developed rosette-stage onwards. In addition to high N requirements during stem growth, flowering and seed ripening, both species also require a high P supply. At least some Central European populations of R. crispus, in contrast to R. obtusifolius, do not flower in the seeding year. In Central Europe, the frequently reported high field winter mortality of R. obtusifolius can be caused by its low frost resistance.

Rumex obtusifolius is believed to be a nitrophilous weedy species that spreads mainly by seed. However, the effects of nutrient availability on seed production never have been investigated. In this study, how the amount of seed production per plant, the chemical composition of the seeds, and their size and germination are affected by the supply of N, P, and K was investigated. A pot fertilizer experiment with 10 treatments (combinations of 0, 150 [N1], and 300 [N2] kg N ha -1 , 0, 40 [P1], and 80 [P2] kg P ha -1 , and 0 and 100 [K] kg K ha -1 applied twice per vegetation season) was carried out in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2008 and 2009. The seeds from plants that were cultivated since the spring were collected each August.The germination of the seeds was determined in long-daylight conditions at a stable temperature of 20°C.The number of seeds per plant ranged from 0 in the P1 and P2 treatments and <200 in the control and K treatments to almost 9000 in the N2P2K treatment.The number of seeds per plant was positively correlated with the number of stems per plant and the number of seeds per stem.The relationship between the amount of seeds per plant and the individual seed weight was positive. The concentration of N, P, and K in the seeds was affected by the treatments. The weight of 1000 seeds ranged from 1.3 to 1.7 g. The seed length ranged from 2.11 to 2.34 mm and the seed width varied from 1.26 to 1.42 mm. With the exception of the control (with 94% germination), the amount of seed germination was >98% in all the other treatments in 2008. In 2009, the amount of seed germination was >95% in all the treatments, except N1 and N2, where 93% and 89% germination, respectively, was recorded. The germination rate was positively related to the P concentration in the seeds.The amount of time that was necessary for 50% seed germination ranged from 1.53 to 2.89 days and was not related to the N concentration in the seeds, but it was negatively related to the P and K concentrations. A balanced N, P, and K supply to the mother plant strongly affected the number of produced seeds and their chemical composition and germination ability.

Rumex crispus is believed to be a highly nutrientdemanding weedy species that spreads mainly by seeds. However, the effects of nutrient availability on its performance and seed production have never been fully investigated. In this study, we investigated how plant size, seed production and germination were affected by the supply of N, P and K. In May 2008, a pot N, P and K fertiliser experiment was established in Prague (Czech Republic). During 2009, plant growth data were collected, and fully ripe seeds were tested for germination and N, P and K concentrations. Rumex crispus showed high phenotypic plasticity in plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and number of stems per plant in relation to N, P and K supply. Seed production per plant ranged from <2000 in the control and low P treatment up to almost 25 000 in the high NPK treatment. More than 16 000 seeds were produced per plant in all treatments where N and P were applied together. To produce a high quantity of rapidly germinating seeds, R. crispus requires a balanced N, P and K supply, as a deficiency of P and K together with a high N supply can result in the production of P-and K-deficient seeds (P and K <3 g kg )1 ) with lower germination ability. In central Europe, at least some populations of R. crispus do not flower in the seeding year and are strictly monocarpic. Given the short lifespan and monocarpic character of the species, control is probably most effective if applied at the rosette stage, prior to the production of viable seeds.

In Europe, Rumex obtusifolius L. is the most problematic grassland weed species, especially under the conditions of organic farming. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the effectiveness of repeated mechanical weeding of R. obtusifolius from the permanent sward, cut two or three times per year, by digging the plants out from 5 cm below the soil surface, and (2) to test the effect of nutrient availability on the effectiveness of mechanical weeding. In 2007, the manipulative experiment was established on permanent grassland infested by R. obtusifolius using the following fertilizer treatments: control, P, N, NP and NPK. Plants of R. obtusifolius were removed eight times during three vegetation seasons. No significant decrease in the density of R. obtusifolius was recorded after three vegetation seasons and density was not significantly affected by fertilizer treatment. The cover of R. obtusifolius decreased slightly, but significantly, over the study period from 7.5% to 4.5%. The cover of R. obtusifolius was only marginally affected by fertilizer treatment. Mechanical weeding by digging the plants out from 5 cm below the ground is not a sufficient method of control for R. obtusifolius in infested fertile grasslands, even when applied eight times during three vegetation seasons.