Journal of Pest Science (2012) 85, 527-539

Robert Leskovsek, Avishek Datta, Andrej Simoncic and Stevan Z. Knezevic (2012)
Influence of nitrogen and plant density on the growth and seed production of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)
Journal of Pest Science 85 (4), 527-539
Abstract: Common ragweed is an important annual weed in crop production, and is also considered to be a serious public health problem. Determination of common ragweed growth under various nitrogen (N) rate and plant density could aid the development of an integrated control program. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of N fertilizer and density on common ragweed growth and seed production. In the greenhouse study, the greatest shoot dry matter (SDM) plant^-1 was obtained with the 50 and 100 kg N ha^-1. In the field experiment, SDM plant^-1 in the low density plots responded favorably to the addition of medium and high levels of N compared to the field level of N. With increasing density, ragweed in higher density plots responded only with the highest N rate. The intensity of intraspecific competition increased with increasing density, thus total SDM plant−1 was significantly reduced, regardless of N rate. Intraspecific competition also reduced the reproductive production of common ragweed where seed production decreased as plant density increased. Plants grown at higher density produced less seeds per plant basis; however, they produced a considerable number of seed on a per area land basis, which is important for the survival of the species and further expansion in agricultural land and non-crop areas. Common ragweed is a fast-growing species, capable of producing considerable biomass and seed at various pure stand densities and N rates. It also justifies the need for early season control to prevent seed production.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Avishek Datta, Stevan Z. Knezevic

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (weed)