Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T12:18:37.293Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Distribution and Interference of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in Nebraska

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Gary L. Cramer
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
Orvin C. Burnside
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583

Abstract

Infestations of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.), in descending order of incidence in Nebraska, occurred on areas occupied by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], oats (Avena sativa L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.], railroad rights-of-way, fallow land, roadsides, corn (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), pasture, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Average crop yield reductions, within common milkweed communities of 11100 to 45 200 plants/ha, ranged from 2 to 10% for corn, 4 to 29% for sorghum, and 12 to 19% for soybeans. Reductions in crop yields tended to increase with increasing common milkweed populations. Germination percentage of common milkweed and sorghum were not significantly affected by growing medium conductivities below 7 and 13 mmho/cm2, respectively. Growth media at pH 2 significantly reduced germination percentage, hypocotyl length, and radicle length of both common milkweed and sorghum as compared with pH 4 to 10. Undiluted aqueous extracts of common milkweed shoot and root material significantly reduced germination percentage, hypocotyl length, and radicle length of sorghum.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1982 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Bhowmik, P. C. and Bandeen, J. D. 1976. The biology of Canadian weeds. Can. J. Plant Sci. 56:579589.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Evetts, L. L. 1977. Common milkweed — the problem. Proc. North Cent. Weed Control. Conf. 32:9699.Google Scholar
3. Evetts, L. L. and Burnside, O. C. 1972. Germination and seedling development of common milkweed and other species. Weed Sci. 20:371378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Evetts, L. L. and Burnside, O. C. 1973. Competition of common milkweed with sorghum. Agron. J. 65:931932.Google Scholar
5. Evetts, L. L. and Burnside, O. C. 1973. Milkweed — a persistent perennial that reduces yields. Nebr. Farm, Ranch and Home Quart. 20(1):1215.Google Scholar
6. Groh, H. and Dore, W. G. 1945. A milkweed survey in Ontario and adjacent Que. Sci. Agric. 25:463481.Google Scholar
7. Rasmussen, J. A. and Einhellig, F. A. 1975. Noncompetitive effects of common milkweed on germination and growth of grain sorghum. Am. Midl. Nat. 94:478484.Google Scholar
8. Wyrill, J. B. III and Burnside, O. C. 1976. Allelopathic influence of common milkweed and hemp dogbane on grain sorghum. North Cent. Weed Control Conf. Res. Rep. 33:2728.Google Scholar