Palmer Amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i>) Interference in Soybeans (<i>Glycine max</i>)

Abstract

A 2-yr field study was conducted at Fayetteville, AR, to determine the effect of Palmer amaranth interference on soybean growth and yield. Palmer amaranth density had little effect on soybean height, but soybean canopy width ranged from 77 cm in the weed-free check to 35 cm in plots with 10 plants m –1 of row 12 wk after emergence. Soybean yield reduction was highly correlated to Palmer amaranth biomass at 8 wk after emergence and maturity, soybean biomass at 8 wk after emergence, and Palmer amaranth density. Soybean yield reduction was 17, 27, 32, 48, 64, and 68%, respectively, for Palmer amaranth densities of 033, 0.66, 1, 2, 333, and 10 plants m –1 of row. Soybean yield reduction and Palmer amaranth biomass were linear to approximately 2 Palmer amaranth m –1 of row, suggesting intraspecific interference between adjacent Palmer amaranth is initiated at Palmer amaranth densities between 2 and 3.33 plants m –1 of row.