Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Interference and Seed Production in Corn Silage and Grain

Abstract

Studies were conducted during a 2-yr period measuring corn silage and grain yield and velvetleaf seed production in response to velvetleaf density. Velvetleaf densities of 0, 2, 5, 10, and 21 plants/m2were established in conventionally tilled corn. The percent corn yield reduction in response to velvetleaf density was similar for both years despite differences in total corn yield. Corn grain and silage yield responded differently to velvetleaf interference. Although both were adversely affected, silage yield reductions were twice that of grain at the low velvetleaf densities. A hyperbolic yield model predicted a maximum yield loss for corn silage and grain of 36 and 37% with incremental losses of 7 and 3%, respectively, as velvetleaf density increased. Velvetleaf seed production ranged from 2,256 to 4,844 seed/m2from the lowest to the highest density. This study demonstrates that corn silage yield is more sensitive than corn grain yield to velvetleaf interference, as well as how crop value plays an important role in determining economic thresholds. Finally, this research confirms the prolific nature of velvetleaf and shows that even at low densities, velvetleaf seed production could affect weed control decisions for many seasons to come.

Control of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) at two heights with POST herbicides in Nebraska popcorn

“…Liphadzi and Dille (2006) reported maximum field corn yield losses from velvetleaf competition ranged from 41% to 100%. Werner et al (2004) reported 37% field corn yield loss from 21 velvetleaf plants m -2 in Pennsylvania. Similarly, Scholes et al (1995) reported 37% yield loss from 24 velvetleaf plants m -2 in South Dakota.…”

Microarray analysis of late-season velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) effect on corn

“…Velvetleaf is an introduced dicotyledenous weed that has large leaves, can grow up to 2.4 m tall, and is thought to release allelopathic chemicals (Colton and Einhellig 1980). Velvetleaf competition has been shown to decrease corn grain yield from 0 to 80% depending on field conditions and weed density (Lindquist et al 1998;Scholes et al 1995;Werner et al 2004). The interaction between velvetleaf and corn has served as a model for crop-weed competition in numerous studies (Lindquist 2001;McDonald et al 2004;Sattin et al 1992;Teasdale 1995).…”

POST Herbicide Combinations for Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Control in Sugarbeet

“…That is similar to results obtained by Bailey et al (2003) who reported yield reduction of 84% in cotton. Smaller yield decreases of 34 to 36% are usually found in more competitive crops like corn (Zea mays L.), as reported by Werner et al (2004) and Kovacs et al (2006). Velvetleaf seed production was also found to be less in corn, at 2,000 to 5,000 seeds m 22 , as compared to our trials with sugarbeet.…”

“…Field emergence rate declines rapidly after mid-July and new seedlings appear only sporadically (Jursík et al 2004a). Velvetleaf can create about 15,000 seeds m 22 in sugarbeet but its seed production is significantly lower when velvetleaf grows in competition with other weeds (Cardina and Norquay 1997;Werner et al 2004).…”