Use of Infrared Thermometry in Determining Critical Stress Periods Induced by Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) in Soybeans (Glycine max)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 1981 and 1982 in Ontario, Canada, on the effects of quackgrass [Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv. # AGRRE] interference in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] and the usefulness of infrared thermometry in predicting critical periods of weed interference. Soybean seed yield, dry weight, number of leaves, height, and number of pods were substantially reduced due to quackgrass interference. High levels of P and K fertility did not overcome the quackgrass interference. Part of the competitive effects of quackgrass was alleviated by irrigation. Infrared thermometry successfully detected the first occurrence of quackgrass-induced stress during the early soybean flowering stage, when the quackgrass was in the four-leaf gtowth stage. This coincided with the onset of the first significant soybean yield loss. No additional soybean yield loss occurred after quackgrass reached the five-leaf growth stage. There was an inverse relation between accumulated stress degree days and soybean yield reductions due to quackgrass interference. The use of the stress degree day concept may be a valuable tool in predicting soybean yield losses due to quackgrass interference.