Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario
<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> is a noxious weed in Ontario, with demonstrated allelopathic properties that can lead to decreased agricultural production. We tested the germination and growth of five cover crop species exposed to <i>A. hybridus</i> extracts, and to dried or fresh...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/4/529 |
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| author | Heather VanVolkenburg Frédérique C. Guinel Liette Vasseur |
| author_facet | Heather VanVolkenburg Frédérique C. Guinel Liette Vasseur |
| author_sort | Heather VanVolkenburg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> is a noxious weed in Ontario, with demonstrated allelopathic properties that can lead to decreased agricultural production. We tested the germination and growth of five cover crop species exposed to <i>A. hybridus</i> extracts, and to dried or fresh materials in soil. A germination index was calculated, and the dry weight of plant organs were measured to quantify responses to treatments. All species had reduced germination (≤29%) in 100% extract. <i>Trifolium pratense</i> had significant root weight reductions in extract (52%) and dried (72%) treatments, whereas shoot weight only decreased (48%) in dried treatment. <i>Medicago sativa</i> shoot weight decreased (52%) in 20g fresh treatment, while root weight decreased (62%) in dried treatment. Shoot weight of <i>Raphanus sativus</i> increased (32%) at mid-extract concentrations, while root weight increased (33%) only with dried treatment; however, both its shoot and root weight decreased (>40%) in fresh treatment. Only the shoot weight of <i>Lolium multiflorum</i> increased (41% in 75% extract and 55% in dried treatment). Both <i>Cichorium intybus</i> shoot and root weights decreased (~50%) in fresh treatment. Crop responses to <i>A. hybridus</i> are complex, and material and species-dependant. Further testing in the field may provide a more comprehensive understanding of how to improve the management of <i>A. hybridus</i>. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:37:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c3b6b4e148b0468a8263c82f6a43649e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:37:08Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3b6b4e148b0468a8263c82f6a43649e2023-11-19T20:58:08ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952020-04-0110452910.3390/agronomy10040529Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern OntarioHeather VanVolkenburg0Frédérique C. Guinel1Liette Vasseur2Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, CanadaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> is a noxious weed in Ontario, with demonstrated allelopathic properties that can lead to decreased agricultural production. We tested the germination and growth of five cover crop species exposed to <i>A. hybridus</i> extracts, and to dried or fresh materials in soil. A germination index was calculated, and the dry weight of plant organs were measured to quantify responses to treatments. All species had reduced germination (≤29%) in 100% extract. <i>Trifolium pratense</i> had significant root weight reductions in extract (52%) and dried (72%) treatments, whereas shoot weight only decreased (48%) in dried treatment. <i>Medicago sativa</i> shoot weight decreased (52%) in 20g fresh treatment, while root weight decreased (62%) in dried treatment. Shoot weight of <i>Raphanus sativus</i> increased (32%) at mid-extract concentrations, while root weight increased (33%) only with dried treatment; however, both its shoot and root weight decreased (>40%) in fresh treatment. Only the shoot weight of <i>Lolium multiflorum</i> increased (41% in 75% extract and 55% in dried treatment). Both <i>Cichorium intybus</i> shoot and root weights decreased (~50%) in fresh treatment. Crop responses to <i>A. hybridus</i> are complex, and material and species-dependant. Further testing in the field may provide a more comprehensive understanding of how to improve the management of <i>A. hybridus</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/4/529allelopathycover cropsgerminationplant growthcompetitionfacilitation |
| spellingShingle | Heather VanVolkenburg Frédérique C. Guinel Liette Vasseur Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario Agronomy allelopathy cover crops germination plant growth competition facilitation |
| title | Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario |
| title_full | Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario |
| title_fullStr | Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario |
| title_short | Impacts of Smooth Pigweed (<i>Amaranthus hybridus</i>) on Cover Crops in Southern Ontario |
| title_sort | impacts of smooth pigweed i amaranthus hybridus i on cover crops in southern ontario |
| topic | allelopathy cover crops germination plant growth competition facilitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/4/529 |
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