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Competition at the soybean V6 stage affects root morphology and biochemical composition
A P Rockenbach1, M A Rizzardi1
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia (PPGAgro), Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany)
|November 10, 2019
Summary
Soybean root and shoot growth, including biochemical traits, are negatively impacted by horseweed competition, especially early in the soybean growth cycle. However, root anatomy remains unaffected by this weed competition.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Weed competition significantly impacts crop yield and quality.
- Understanding plant competition requires examining root and shoot responses.
- Soybean (Glycine max) and horseweed (Conyza bonariensis) are common agricultural competitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of horseweed competition on soybean morphological and biochemical traits.
- To determine how different periods of coexistence influence soybean response.
- To assess the impact on both root and shoot systems.
Main Methods:
- Greenhouse experiment comparing soybean P 95R51 with horseweed (Conyza bonariensis).
- Treatments involved presence/absence of weeds during specific soybean growth stages (V0-V3, V0-V6, V0-R2, V3-R6, V6-R6, R2-R6).
- Evaluated root morphology, dry matter, secondary metabolites (phenols, flavonoids), and root anatomy.
Main Results:
- Root length decreased by 14-21% during early competition (V0-V3, V0-V6, R2-R6).
- Total phenol and flavonoid content reduced with early competition (V0-V6, V0-R2).
- Soybean-horseweed competition from emergence to V6 stage affected shoot and root morphology and root biochemistry; later stages (V3, V6, R2) showed no negative impact.
Conclusions:
- Early-season horseweed competition significantly impairs soybean root and shoot development and root biochemistry.
- Root anatomical composition is resilient to horseweed competition across all tested periods.
- Plant competition research should integrate root system responses for a comprehensive understanding.
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