Growth Analysis of Giant Chickweed in Perennial Cropping Systems. (A00-martin981426-poster)
Authors:
A. Martin - Univ. of Wisconsin - River Falls M. Crotser* - Univ. of Wisconsin - River Falls
Abstract:
Giant chickweed (Myosotan aquaticum) was thought to predominately inhabit moist, natural areas of Wisconsin,but recently its presence has been confirmed in perennial crops in several Wisconsin
counties. Due to morphological similarities between the chickweed species, its presence and distribution has likely been underestimated in Wisconsin. Giant chickweed's growth is more robust when compared to other chickweed's, indicating potentially greater competitive ability in crops such as alfalfa. The objective of this study was to model giant chickweed growth in the field. The experiment was
conducted in the summers of 2001 and 2002 and was a split plot design with four replications. Sub-plot treatments were weeks of giant chickweed growth and whole-plot treatments (environments) were giant chickweed grown on bare ground or in established alfalfa. Giant chickweed above ground parts were harvested weekly and relative growth rate, leaf area, leaf area ratio, and biomass accumulation were determined. Relative growth rate was analyzed using ANOVA procedure of SAS and means
separation was conducted using Fisher's protected LSD test. Leaf area, leaf area ratio and biomass were subjected to regression analysis. Environment did not largely impact giant chickweed growth.
Relative growth rates were greatest early in the growing season and were correlated with temperature.
Giant chickweed biomass and leaf area increased, but leaf area ratio decreased over time.
Speaker Information: Antonia Martin, Univ. of Wisconsin - River Falls, 410 S. 3rd St., River Falls, WI 54022; Phone: (715)425-3989; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 3, 2003, 8:00 AM-10:00 AM Presentation Start: 8:00 AM (Poster Board Number: 206)
Keywords: giant chickweed; alfalfa; weed interference; relative growth rate
