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Influence of Weed Competition on Sorghum Growth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

O. C. Burnside
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy at Lincoln, University of Nebraska
G. A. Wicks
Affiliation:
North Platte Station at North Platte, University of Nebraska

Abstract

Weed competition in this experiment had a more marked effect on sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, var. RS 610] grain yields than did row spacings or sorghum populations. Sorghum grown in 20-inch, as compared to 40-inch, rows had higher grain and stover yields and lower weed yields and 1000-seed weight. Sorghum populations of 42,000 to 50,000 plants per acre produced higher grain and stover yields than populations of 26,000 to 28,000 plants per acre which had greater weed yields, heads per plant, seed weight per head, seed moisture at harvest, and 1000-seed weight. In hand weeded plots, sorghum yields were not affected by row spacing or sorghum population; but as weed competition increased, sorghum yields increased with narrower rows and higher plant populations. Sorghum yields were reduced 4, 12, and 18% by delaying weeding of plots 3, 4, and 5 weeks as compared with 2 weeks after planting. Weeds that did not emerge until 4 weeks after planting did not reduce sorghum yields.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1969 Weed Science Society of America 

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References

Literature Cited

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