Competitive interaction between maize, Xanthium strumarium and Datura stramonium affecting some canopy characteristics

Abstract

Abstract Field experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate Xanthium strumarium and Datura stramonium single and multispecies interferences with maize. At different weed densities (4, 8, 12 and 16 plants m -2 ), X. strumarium and D. stramonium were planted in five proportions of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 0:100. Monoculture of maize at 6 plant m -2 and pure stands of X. strumarium and D. stramonium at two densities of 4 and 16 plants m -2 were also included. The results showed that X. strumarium is the most competitive weed in mixed plant community of maize, X. strumarium and D. stramonium. Maize, mainly due to its greater height at high density of weeds and because of its greater height and LAI at low density of weeds, was more successful in competition for light than the two weed species. At mixture of X. strumarium and D. stramonium under competition with maize, X. strumarium due to its greater LAI and height, showed greater ability in light interception than the other weed species. Therefore, stronger competitive ability of a weed in competition for light may be attributed to its canopy characteristics e.g. greater height and LAI expansion. In the mixed plant community, these characteristics enable the species to soon occupy the space and capture the common resources i.e. light. To control these weeds in maize, appropriate control measures have to be taken in early growth stages