Competitive Mechanisms of Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) and Soybean (Glycine max) During Seedling Growth

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse and growth chamber to evaluate competitive mechanisms of soybean and common cocklebur during seedling growth. Soybean was approximately 1.5 to 2 times taller and was more competitive aboveground than common cocklebur during the first few weeks of growth. Common cocklebur had an approximate 20 to 50% finer root system and was more competitive belowground than soybean during early growth.