Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-m8qmq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T20:48:02.628Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nitrogen and green foxtail (Setaria viridis) competition effects on corn growth and development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

R. Jason Cathcart  and
Clarence J. Swanton
R. Jason Cathcart
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Agronomic research on the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and weed control in corn has focused primarily on maintaining or increasing yield. Few studies have examined the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate or weed competition (or both) on whole plant growth and development. The objectives of this research were to determine how N influences the growth and development of corn and to explore how green foxtail density affects this relationship. Field experiments were conducted on a sandy low organic matter soil from 1999 to 2001. The experiment was designed as a factorial with N rate ranging from 0 to 200 kg N ha−1 and targeted green foxtail density ranging from 0 to 300 plants m−2. Under weed-free conditions, a higher rate of N fertilizer increased corn leaf and grain N content, leaf area index (LAI), plant height, and aboveground dry matter (DM) production, including kernel weight. However, in the presence of green foxtail, corn leaf N content, LAI, growth rate, plant height, and aboveground DM were reduced at each N level. Despite having significant main effects, there was no interaction between N rate and green foxtail density. Results indicate that in corn grown on a coarse-textured soil with low organic matter, the additional stress brought about by the presence of green foxtail exacerbated the effect of low N rates on corn growth and development. More intensive weed management may be required in corn if N fertilizer rates are reduced.

Keywords

Green foxtail, Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. SETVIcorn, Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3905’Corn growth ratedry matter productionkernel weightleaf area indexweed competition
Type
Weed Management
Information
Weed Science , Volume 52 , Issue 6 , December 2004 , pp. 1039 - 1049
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Ampong-Nyarko, K. and De Datta, S. K. 1993. Effects of light and nitrogen and their interaction on the dynamics of rice-weed competition. Weed Res 33:1–8.Google Scholar
Anderson, E. L., Kamprath, E. J., and Moll, R. H. 1984. Nitrogen fertility effects on accumulation, remobilization, and partitioning of N and dry matter in corn genotypes differing in prolificacy. Agron. J 76:397–404.Google Scholar
Appel, T. and Mengel, K. 1993. Nitrogen fractions in sandy soils in relation to plant nitrogen uptake and organic matter incorporation. Soil Biol. Biochem 25:685–691.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beckett, T. H., Stoller, E. W., and Wax, L. M. 1988. Interference of four annual weeds in corn (Zea mays). Weed Sci 36:764–769.Google Scholar
Below, F. E. 1995. Nitrogen metabolism and crop productivity. Pages 275–301 in Pessarakli, M. ed. Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology. New York: Marcel Dekker.Google Scholar
Blackshaw, R. E., Semach, G., and Janzen, H. H. 2002. Fertilizer application method affects nitrogen uptake in weeds and wheat. Weed Sci 50:634–641.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bosnic, A. C. and Swanton, C. J. 1997. Influence of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) time of emergence and density on corn (Zea mays). Weed Sci 45:276–282.Google Scholar
Bowley, S. R. 1999. A Hitchhikers Guide to Statistics in Plant Biology. Guelph, ON: Plants et al. 250 p.Google Scholar
Brouwer, R. 1983. Functional equilibrium: sense or nonsense? Neth. J. Agric. Sci 31:335–348.Google Scholar
Carlson, H. L. and Hill, J. E. 1986. Wild oat (Avena fatua) competition with spring wheat: effects of nitrogen fertilization. Weed Sci 34:29–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carranca, C., de Varennes, A., and Rolston, D. E. 1999. Variation in N-recovery of winter wheat under Mediterranean conditions studied with 15N-labelled fertilizers. Eur. J. Agron 11:145–155.Google Scholar
Cathcart, R. J. and Swanton, C. J. 2003. Nitrogen management will influence threshold values of green foxtail (Setaria viridis) in corn. Weed Sci 51:975–986.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cochran, V. L., Morrow, L. A., and Schirman, R. D. 1990. The effect of N placement on grass weeds and winter wheat response in three tillage systems. Soil Tillage Res 18:347–355.Google Scholar
Di Tomaso, J. M. 1995. Approaches for improving crop competitiveness through the manipulations of fertilizer strategies. Weed Sci 43:491–497.Google Scholar
Dwyer, L. M., Anderson, A. M., Stewart, D. W., Ma, B. L., and Tollenaar, M. 1995. Changes in maize hybrid photosynthetic response to leaf nitrogen, from pre-anthesis to grain fill. Agron. J 87:1221–1225.Google Scholar
Evans, S. P., Knezevic, S. Z., Linquist, J. L., Shapiro, C. A., and Blakenship, E. E. 2003. Nitrogen application influences the critical period for weed control in corn. Weed Sci 51:408–417.Google Scholar
Everaarts, A. P. 1992. Response of weeds to the method of fertilizer application on low-fertility acid soils in Surinam. Weed. Res 32:391–397.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fausey, J. C., Kells, J. J., Swinton, S. M., and Renner, K. A. 1997. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) interference in nonirrigated corn (Zea mays). Weed Sci 45:256–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frick, B. and Thomas, A. G. 1992. Weed surveys in different tillage systems in southwestern Ontario field crops. Can. J. Plant Sci 72:1337–1347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Girardin, P., Tollenaar, M., Deltour, A., and Muldoon, J. 1987. Temporary N starvation in maize (Zea mays L.): effects on development, dry matter accumulation and grain yield. Agronomie 7:289–296.Google Scholar
Hall, M. R., Swanton, C. J., and Anderson, G. W. 1992. The critical period of weed control in grain corn (Zea mays). Weed Sci 40:441–447.Google Scholar
Hodge, A., Robinson, D., Griffiths, B. S., and Fitter, A. H. 1999. Why plants bother: root proliferation results in increased nitrogen capture from an organic patch when two grasses compete. Plant Cell Environ 22:811–820.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hörstensteiner, S. and Feller, U. 2002. Nitrogen metabolism and remobilization during senescence. J. Exp. Bot 53:927–937.Google Scholar
Kirkland, K. J. and Beckie, H. J. 1998. Contribution of nitrogen fertilizer placement to weed management in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum). Weed Technol 12:507–514.Google Scholar
Lecoeur, J. and Sinclair, T. R. 2001. Nitrogen accumulation, partitioning, and nitrogen harvest index increase during seed fill of field pea. Field Crops Res 71:87–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lemcoff, J. H. and Loomis, R. S. 1986. Nitrogen influences on yield determination in maize. Crop. Sci 26:1017–1022.Google Scholar
Loomis, R. S., Williams, W. A., Duncan, W. G., Dovrat, A., and Nunez, F. 1968. Quantitative descriptions of foliage display and light absorption in field communities of corn plants. Crop Sci 8:352–356.Google Scholar
Lutman, P. J. W., Risiott, R., and Ostermann, H. P. 1996. Investigations into alternative methods to predict the competitive effects of weeds on crop yields. Weed Sci 44:290–297.Google Scholar
Mankin, K. R. and Fynn, R. P. 1996. Modeling nutrient uptake by plants: relating demand to microclimate. Agric. Syst 50:101–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCullough, D. E., Aguilera, A., and Tollenaar, M. 1994a. N uptake, N partitioning, and photosynthetic N-use efficiency of an old and new hybrid. Can. J. Plant Sci 74:479–484.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCullough, D. E., Giardin, Ph, Mihajlovic, M., Aguilera, A., and Tollenaar, M. 1994b. Influence of N supply on development and dry matter accumulation of an old and new maize hybrid. Can. J. Plant Sci 74:471–477.Google Scholar
Moolani, M. K., Knake, E. L., and Slife, F. W. 1964. Competitors of smooth pigweed with corn and soybeans. Weeds 12:126–128.Google Scholar
Muchow, R. C. 1988a. Effect of nitrogen supply on comparative productivity of maize and sorghum in semi-arid tropical environments: I. Leaf growth and leaf nitrogen. Field Crops Res 18:1–16.Google Scholar
Muchow, R. C. 1988b. Effect of nitrogen supply on comparative productivity of maize and sorghum in semi-arid tropical environments: III. Grain yield and nitrogen accumulation. Field Crops Res 18:31–43.Google Scholar
Muchow, R. C. and Davis, R. 1988. Effect of nitrogen supply on comparative productivity of maize and sorghum in semi-arid tropical environments: II. Radiation interception and biomass accumulation. Field Crops Res 18:17–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Novoa, R. and Loomis, D. S. 1981. Nitrogen and plant production. Plant Soil 58:177–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Okafor, L. I. and De Datta, S. K. 1976. Competition between upland rice and purple nutsedge for nitrogen, moisture, and light. Weed Sci 24:43–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearman, I., Thomas, S. M., and Thorne, G. N. 1997. Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of spring wheat. Ann. Bot 41:93–108.Google Scholar
Pushman, F. M. and Bingham, J. 1976. The effect of granular nitrogen fertilizer and a foliar spray urea on the yield and breadmaking quality of winter wheat. J. Agric. Sci. Camb 87:281–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rajcan, I. and Swanton, C. J. 2001. Understanding maize-weed competition: resource competition, light quality and the whole plant. Field Crops Res 71:139–150.Google Scholar
Reddy, K. S., Mills, H. A., and Jones, J. B. Jr. 1991. Corn response to post-tasseling nitrogen deprivation and to various ammonium/nitrate ratios. Agron. J 83:201–203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roush, M. L. and Radosevich, S. L. 1985. Relationships between growth and competitiveness of four annual weeds. J. Appl. Ecol 22:895–905.Google Scholar
[SAS] Statistical Analysis Systems. 1990. SAS Procedures Guide. Version 6. 3rd ed. Cary, NC: Statistical Analysis Systems Institute. 705 p.Google Scholar
Sibuga, K. P. and Bandeen, J. D. 1980a. Effects of green foxtail and lamb's-quarters interference in field corn. Can. J. Plant Sci 60:1419–1425.Google Scholar
Sibuga, K. P. and Bandeen, J. D. 1980b. Effects of various densities of green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) and lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.) on nitrogen uptake and yields of corn. East Afr. Agric. J 43:214–221.Google Scholar
Sinclair, T. R. and Horrie, T. 1989. Leaf nitrogen, photosynthesis, and crop radiation use efficiency: a review. Crop Sci 29:90–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Teyker, R. H., Hoelzer, H. D., and Liebl, R. A. 1991. Maize and pigweed response to nitrogen supply and form. Plant and Soil 135:287–292.Google Scholar
Thomas, P. E. L. and Alison, J. C. S. 1975. Competition between maize and Rottboellia exaltata . J. Agric. Sci. Camb 84:305–312.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tollenaar, M. 1989. Response of dry matter accumulation in maize to temperature: I. Dry matter partitioning. Crop Sci 29:1239–1246.Google Scholar
Tollenaar, M., Aguilera, A., and Nissanka, S. P. 1997. Grain yield is reduced more by weed interference in an old than in a new maize hybrid. Agron. J 89:239–246.Google Scholar
Tollenaar, M. and Daynard, T. B. 1982. Effect of source-sink ratio on dry matter accumulation and leaf senescence of maize. Can. J. Plant Sci 62:855–860.Google Scholar
Tollenaar, M., Dibo, A. A., Aguilera, A., Weise, S. F., and Swanton, C. J. 1994a. Effect of crop density on weed interference in maize. Agron. J 86:591–595.Google Scholar
Tollenaar, M., Nissanka, S. P., Aguilera, A., Weise, S. F., and Swanton, C. J. 1994b. Effect of weed interference and soil nitrogen on four maize hybrids. Agron. J 86:596–601.Google Scholar
Uhart, S. A. and Andrade, F. H. 1995a. Nitrogen deficiency in maize: I. Effects on crop growth, development, dry matter partitioning, and kernel set. Crop Sci 35:1376–1383.Google Scholar
Uhart, S. A. and Andrade, F. H. 1995b. Nitrogen deficiency in maize: II. Carbon-nitrogen interaction effects on kernel number and grain yield. Crop Sci 35:1376–1383.Google Scholar
Wolfe, D. W., Henderson, D. W., Hsiao, T. C., and Alvino, A. 1988a. Interactive water and nitrogen effects on senescence of maize. I. Leaf area duration, nitrogen distribution, and yield. Agron. J 80:859–864.Google Scholar
Wolfe, D. W., Henderson, D. W., Hsiao, T. C., and Alvino, A. 1988b. Interactive water and nitrogen effects on senescence of maize. II. Photosynthetic decline and longevity of individual leaves. Agron. J 80:859–864.Google Scholar
Wong, S-C., Cowan, I. R., and Farquhar, G. D. 1985. Leaf conductance in relation to rate of CO2 assimilation. I. Influence of nitrogen nutrition, phosphorus nutrition, photon flux density, and ambient partial pressure of CO2 during ontogeny. Plant Physiol 78:821–825.Google Scholar
Zhang, F., Mackenzie, A. F., and Smith, D. L. 1993. Corn yield shifts among corn quality constituents following application of different nitrogen fertilizer sources at several times during corn development. J. Plant Nutr 16:1317–1337.Google Scholar