An empirical model relating crop yield to weed and crop density and a statistical comparison with other models

Abstract

SUMMARY A hyperbolic model relating crop yield to weed density is extended to include crop density as a further variable. Other models were obtained from published sources, eight being originally applied to yield of above-ground biomass and six to marketable yield. Data were obtained from a field experiment in which spring wheat and spring barley were planted either in monoculture or together and at a range of densities. Further data were obtained from a published experiment on Sinapis alba and barley grown in containers. The models were fitted to data using maximum likelihood estimation. Comparisons of residual sums of squares showed that for the wheat and barley field experiment biomass yield and marketable yield were sufficiently described by a three-parameter model. The Baeumer & de Wit (1968) equation proposed for replacement series experimental designs is considered reasonable for the analysis of field additive designs provided the parameters are interpreted in agronomic terms. For the Sinapis alba and barley experiment more complex models could be justified.