Field Competition Between Tall Morningglory and Soybean. I. Growth Analysis

The intraspecific (competition between same species) and interspecific (competition between different species) competitiveness of tall morningglory [ Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth] in soybeans [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was evaluated for 3 yr at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Tall morningglory was planted at densities of one plant per 61, 30, and 15 cm of row, and competition duration ranged from 2 weeks to full-season. Soybeans were more competitive than tall morningglory for the first 6 to 8 weeks after emergence. The competitiveness of tall morningglory was dependent upon a rapid increase in photosynthetic area which occurred 4 to 6 weeks after emergence. Reductions in leaf area index (LAI) or plant dry weight and crop growth rate (CGR) of soybeans were closely correlated to percent soybean yield reduction. Tall morningglory could remain in soybeans for 12, 10, and 6 weeks without significantly reducing soybean yield at one plant per 61, 30, and 15 cm of row, respectively. Tall morningglory was three to four times more competitive during the soybean reproductive stage than during the vegetative stage.