Methods of analysing competition with special reference to herbage plants: II. Effects of associate plants

Abstract

SummaryAn examination of the role played by associate plants in conditioning the behaviour of a competitor was carried out on a diallel arrangement of five perennial ryegrasa genotypes using regression techniques similar to those devised for the analysis of genotype-environment interactions. By far the largest proportion of the significant genotype x associate interaction could be ascribed to differences between the slopes of the fitted regression lines, with the three long-leaved genotypes (A, C and E)having the highest slopes and hence being the most sensitive to changes in the associate environment. Significant departures from the fitted regression lines occurred, however, but these could be traced solely to genotype C.Theoretical models capable of identifying those conditions under which 50:50 mixtures may be expected, first, to exceed the average of their component monocultures, and secondly, to surpass the better monoculture, were developed. Applying these models to the present experiment confirms that the performance of the 50:50 mixtures generally exceeds the monoculture average, but rarely surpasses the better monoculture.The scope of the regression technique was broadened to incorporate the 75:25 and 25: 75 mixtures, thereby revealing that the response of the two strongest competitors (C and E) is frequency dependent. Density dependent effects were also uncovered in this material, with genotype C the strongest competitor, being particularly noteworthy in this respect. The role of this regression technique in the development of new and highly productive mixtures is briefly discussed.