Effects of density and soil nitrogen levels on growth of Galinsoga quadriradiata and G. parviflora in pure and mixed stands

Abstract

The responses of two sympatric annual weeds, Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon (G. ciliata (Raf.) Blake) and G. parviflora Cav., which occur abundantly in croplands and early secondary successional communities of hill regions in northeast India, were studied in relation to population density, soil nitrogen, and nature of the stand (pure versus mixed stands). Both weeds exhibited density-dependent mortality which increased at a higher nitrogen level. In the case of G. quadriradiata more individuals survived in a mixture than in monoculture, whereas G. parviflora showed the reverse trend. Growth of both weeds was better at a higher soil nitrogen level. Increased mortality and suppression of growth caused by an increase in density was also minimized in G. quadriradiata at the higher level of soil nitrogen. With an increase in population density, per-plant biomass and capitula production in both weeds showed an increase in positive skewness which, however, decreased at an increased nitrogen level. Galinsoga quadriradiata was less sensitive to density than G. parviflora regardless of soil nitrogen. At lower densities, both weeds grew better in a mixture than in pure stands, but at higher densities G. quadriradiata suppressed the growth of G. parviflora. Although the crude reproductive effort of the two weeds was independent of soil nitrogen, G. quadriradiata, in contrast to G. parviflora, exhibited a greater crude reproductive effort when grown either at higher densities or in a mixture.