Interference between maize and Xanthium strumarium or Datura stramonium

Abstract

Xanthium strumarium and Datura stramonium are two of the most important weeds of maize in Iran. Their growth was compared in a field study conducted over 2 years. Relationships were derived between weed density and crop yield, yield components and various growth parameters. Yield, grain number ear )1 and grain weight were affected more by X. strumarium than by D. stramonium. Xanthium strumarium followed a pattern of growth resembling that of the maize, whereas D. stramonium continued growing for a longer period, mainly affecting maize during the grain-filling period. A large portion of the loss in maize yield caused by X. strumarium could be explained by a reduction in grain number ear )1 , whereas a greater portion of the maize yield loss from D. stramonium was explained by a reduction in grain weight. Weed biomass was greater for X. strumarium than for D. stramonium, whereas seed production was higher for D. stramonium. It is concluded that although X. strumarium should be given the highest priority for control in maize on the basis of its superior competitive ability, control of D. stramonium is also essential because of both its considerable competitiveness in the current crop and its long-term effects resulting from its greater seed production.Comparisons between years followed by ** indicate differences (P < 0.01). NA indicates that no comparison was made because of using different models. For abbreviations see Fig. 1.Weed species competition with maize 257

Effects of density and sowing pattern on weed suppression and grain yield in three varieties of maize under high weed pressure

“…Also, because of its large size, high spatial uniformity is common in maize production, but not in other cereals. Early in the growing season, maize is usually a good competitor against weeds (Page et al ., ), even against some perennial weeds, such as Datura stramonium L. (jimson weed) and Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana; Cavero et al .,; Karimmojeni et al ., ; Lehoczky et al ., ), as well as annuals such as Chenopodium album L. (lambs quarters), Xanthium strumarium L. (cocklebur) and Abutilon theophrasti Medik. (velvetleaf; Baghestani et al ., ; Karimmojeni et al ., ; Lindquist & Mortensen, ; McDonald & Riha, ).…”

“…Early in the growing season, maize is usually a good competitor against weeds (Page et al ., ), even against some perennial weeds, such as Datura stramonium L. (jimson weed) and Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana; Cavero et al .,; Karimmojeni et al ., ; Lehoczky et al ., ), as well as annuals such as Chenopodium album L. (lambs quarters), Xanthium strumarium L. (cocklebur) and Abutilon theophrasti Medik. (velvetleaf; Baghestani et al ., ; Karimmojeni et al ., ; Lindquist & Mortensen, ; McDonald & Riha, ). It has been hypothesised that this is because maize has a high leaf area index, allowing it to shade weeds effectively (Cavero et al ., ; McDonald & Riha, ; McDonald et al ., ).…”

Effect of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intercropping on weed biomass and maize (Zea mays) yield

“…Other than environmental variables, the most important constraint to maize yield and thus economic returns is competition from weeds (Rajcan & Swanton 2001;Karimmojeni et al 2010). Weed competition results from the use of widely spaced maize rows, which allow a high portion of ambient light to penetrate.…”

Common Cocklebur (<i>Xanthium strumarium</i>) Response to Nicosulfuron

“…This species is generally highly-competitive for nutrients, light and moisture and can drastically reduce yield, harvesting efficiency, and crop quality due to seed contamination (Gossett, 1971). In soybean fields, this species can reduce yields up to 80% (Bloomberg et al, 1982), while yield reduction in corn ranged from 30 to 40% (Karimmojeni et al, 2010). Nakova et al (2004) confirmed the significance of this invasive species as a weed in corn across the Balkan Peninsula.…”