The Morphological Features and Canopy Parameters as Factors Affecting the Competition Between Winter Wheat Varieties and Weeds

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between morphological features and canopy parameters of winter wheat varieties and weed infestation. The 2-year-long field experiments were conducted at 3 locations, on 13 varieties of winter wheat cultivated on organic farms. The response of the tested cultivars to weed infestation was similar regardless of the location. The number of weeds did not differ significantly between the wheat varieties and was similar in all locations and years of the study (109-122 plants/m2). The weed dry matter was significantly lower in Chomentowo (38 g/m2) compared to Osiny and Chwałowice (66 and 85 g/ m2). Nateja and Legenda wheat varieties showed the biggest competitiveness against weeds in both years and locations, whereas Alcazar, Boomer and Jenga were characterized as having the least competitive ability. Natula, Kohelia, Batuta and Ostroga wheat varieties showed a different response to weed infestation over the years. The analysis of correlation and cluster analysis showed that wheat dry matter, plant density, and wheat height had the greatest impact on the number and dry matter of weeds. There was no significant correlation between number of tillers per plant and weed infestation parameters measured in the dough stage