Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Competition Experiments on Alien Weeds with Crops: Lessons for Measuring Plant Invasion Impact?

  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Can we quantify the impact of invasive species? Here we use the per-plant competitiveness of alien weeds on crops as a model of invasive species impact in general. We reviewed 97 weed–crop competition experiments in 32 papers that included 30 alien weed and 14 crop species. The majority (68.92%) were randomised block designs where the alien weed had been either added (additive experiments) or removed (removal experiments). We propose using the relative competition index to estimate the effect of alien species in all systems, specifying in each case the density and proportion of alien and native plants essayed. We found that the impact of the weed cannot be considered independently of the crop and, thus, we should be cautious in ranking weed species according to their competition effect. A similar situation can be postulated for alien plants interfering with native species. Invaded communities are not random assemblages, and researchers tend to study the most competitive alien plants. We also found that the effect of the weed on crop yield depends on the duration of the interference and the life-history stage of the weed–crop system at which the interaction takes place. We were not able to conduct a more rigorous comparative analysis of the impacts, such as a meta-analysis. To do this would require some measure of the variation of the competition effect such as standard deviation or standard error, which we found are almost never reported.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarsen LW and Epp GA (1990) Neighbour manipulations in the natural vegetation: a review. Journal of Vegetation Science 1: 13-30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RL (1993) Joined goatgrass (Aegilops cilindrica) ecology and interference in winter wheat. Weed Science 41: 388-393

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnquist G and Wooster D (1995) Meta-analysis: synthesizing research findings in ecology and evolution. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10: 236-240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell AR and Nalewaja JD (1968a) Competition of wild oat in wheat and barley. Weed Science 16: 505-508

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell AR and Nalewaja JD (1968b) Competition of wild oat in flax. Weed Science 16: 501-505

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridgemohan P and McDavid CR (1993) A model of the competitive relationships between R. cochinchinensis and Zea mays. Annals of Applied Biology 123: 649-656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connolly J (1986) On difficulties with replacement series methodology in mixture experiments. Journal of Applied Ecology 23: 125-127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connolly J (1988) What is wrong with replacement series? Trends in Ecology and Evolution 3: 24-26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD (1985a) A simple model relating yield loss to weed density. Annals of Applied Biology 107: 239-252

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD (1985b) An empirical model relating crop yield to weed and crop density and a statistical comparison with other models. Journal of Agriculture Science 105: 513-521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD (1987) Theory and reality of weeds control thresholds. Plant Protection Quarterly 2: 13-20

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD and Mokhtari S (1998) Seasonal and site variability in the tolerance of wheat cultivars to interference from Lolium rigidum. Weed Research 38: 301-307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD and Mortimer M (1995) Dynamics ofWeed Populations. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousens RD, Peters NCB and Marshall CJ (1984) Models of yield loss — weed density relationships. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Colloquium on Weed Ecology, Biology and Systematics, pp 367-374. Columa-EWRS, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Daehler CC and Gordon DR (1997) To introduce or not to introduce: trade-offs of non-indigenous organisms. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 12: 424-425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ditommaso A and Watson AK (1995) Impact of a fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes on growth and competitive ability of Abutilon theophrasti. New Phytologist 131: 51-60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ditommaso A, Watson AK and Hallett SG (1996) Infection by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes affects velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) — soybean competition in the field. Weed Science 44: 924-933

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fabricius LJ and Nalewaja JD (1968) Competition between wheat and wild buckwheat. Weed Science 16: 204-208

    Google Scholar 

  • Fellows GM and Roeth FW (1992) Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor) interference in soybean (Glycine max). Weed Science 40: 68-73

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank JR, Schwartz PH Jr and Bourke JB (1988) Insect and weed interactions on bell peppers (Capsicum annuum). Weed Technology 2: 423-428

    Google Scholar 

  • Glauninger J and Holzner W (1982) Interference between weeds and crops: a review of literature. In: Holzner W and Numata N (eds) Biology and Ecology of Weeds, pp 149-159. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg DE and Werner PA (1983) Equivalence of competitors in plant communities: a null hypothesis and a field experimental approach. American Journal of Botany 70: 1098-1104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg DE, Rajaniemi T, Gurevitch J and Stewart-Oaten A (1999) Empirical approaches to quantifying interaction intensity: competition and facilitation along productivity gradients. Ecology 80: 1118-1131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grace JB (1995) On the measurement of plant competition intensity. Ecology 76: 305-308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gruenhagen RD and Nalewaja JD (1969) Competition between flax and wild buckwheat. Weed Science 17: 380-384

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurevitch J and Hedges L (1999) Statistical issues in ecological meta-analyses. Ecology 80: 1142-1149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurevitch J, Morrow LL, Wallace A and Walsh JS (1992) A meta-analysis of competition in field experiments. The American Naturalist 140: 539-572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges LV, Gurevitch J and Curtis PS (1999) The meta-analyses of response ratios in experimental ecology. Ecology 80: 1150-1156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helm CG, Kogan M, Onstad DW, Wax LM and Jeffords MR (1992) Effects of velvetleaf competition and defoliation by soybean looper (Lepidoptera: Nocturidae) on yield of indeterminate soybean. Journal of Economic Entomology 85: 2433-2439

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs RJ and Humphries SE (1994) An integrated approach to the ecology and management of plant invasions. Conservation Biology 9: 761-770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James KL, Banks PA and Karnok KJ (1988) Interference of soybean, Glycine max, cultivars with sicklepod, Cassia obtusifolia. Weed Technology 2: 404-409

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolliffe PA (2000) The replacement series. Journal of Ecology 883: 71-385

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeley PE and Thullen RJ (1989a) Growth and competition of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Weed Science 37: 326-334

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeley PE and Thullen RJ (1989b) Growth and interaction of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Weed Science 37: 339-344

    Google Scholar 

  • Kropff MJ, Vossen FJH and Spitters CJT (1984) Competition between a maize crop and a natural population of Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.B. Netherland Journal of Agriculture Science 32: 324-327

    Google Scholar 

  • Mack RN, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM, Evans H, Clout M and Bazzaz FA (2000) Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecological Applications 10: 689-710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moolani MK, Knake EL and Slife FW (1964) Competition of smooth pigweed with corn and soybeans. Weeds 12: 126-128

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen K and Makowski RMD (1995) Tolerance of strawberries to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. Malvae, a mycoherbicide for control of round-leaved mallow(Malva pusilla).Weed Science 43: 429-433

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murdock EC, Alden JA and Toler JE (1986) Interactive effects of tobacco thrips control and herbicides on competition between large crabgrass (Digitalia sanguinalis) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). Weed Science 34: 896-900

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norgaard RB (1987) Economics as mechanics and the demise of biological diversity. Ecological Modelling 38: 107-121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norris RF (1992) Case history for weed competition/population ecology: barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris). Weed Technology 6: 220-227

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris RF (1997) Impact of leaf mining on the growth of Portulaca oleracea (common purslane) and its competitive interaction with Beta vulgaris (sugarbeet). Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 349-362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogg AG Jr, Stephens RH and Gealy DR (1993) Growth analysis of mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula) interference in peas (Pisum sativum). Weed Science 41: 394-402

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker IM, Simberloff D, Lonsdale WM, Goodell K, Wonham M, Kareiva PM, Williamson MH, Von Holle B, Moyle PB, Byers JE and Goldwasser L (1999) Impact: toward a framework for understanding the ecological effects of invaders. Biological Invasions 1: 3-19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson DT and Highsmith MT (1989) Competition of spurred anoda (Anoda cristata) and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) during simulated drought and recovery. Weed Science 37: 658-664

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D, Lach L, Zuniga R and Morrison D (2000) Environmental and economic costs associated with non-indigenous species in the United States. Bioscience 50: 53-64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rämet B (1996) Intercropping as a strategy for reducing damage to carrots caused by the carrot fly, Psila rosae (F.). Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 13: 359-369

    Google Scholar 

  • Rejmánek M, Robinson GR and Rejmánková E (1989) Weed-crop competition: experimental designs and models for data analysis. Weed Science 37: 276-284

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds HL (1999) Plant interactions: competition. In: Pugnaire FI and Valladares F (eds) Handbook of Functional Plant Ecology, pp 649-676. Marcel Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Roughgarden J (1983) Competition and theory in community ecology. American Naturalist 122: 583-601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sattin M, Zanin G and Berti A (1992) Case history for weed competition/ population ecology: velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) in corn (Zea mays). Weed Technology 6: 213-219

    Google Scholar 

  • Showler AT and Reagan TE (1991) Effects on sugarcane borer, weed, and nematode control strategies in Louisiana sugarcane. Environmental Entomology 20: 358-370

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrefler JW, Dusky JA, Shilling DG, Brecke BJ and Sanchez CA (1994) Effects of phosphorus fertility on competition between lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus). Weed Science 42: 556-560

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silvertown J and Charlesworth D (2001) Introduction to Plant Population Biology. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims BD and Oliver LR (1990) Mutual influences of seedling Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia), and soybean (Glycine max). Weed Science 38: 139-147

    Google Scholar 

  • Snaydon RW (1991) Replacement or additive designs for competition studies? Journal of Applied Ecology 28: 930-946

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spitters CJT and Van den Bergh JP (1982) Competition between crop and weeds: a system approach. In: Holzner W and Numata N (eds) Biology and Ecology of Weeds, pp 137-148. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoller EW, Wax LM and Slife FW (1979) Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) competition and control in corn (Zea mays). Weed Science 27: 32-37

    Google Scholar 

  • Suominen J (1979) The grain immigrant flora of Finland. Acta Botanica Fennica 111: 1-108

    Google Scholar 

  • Tollenaar H (1992) Reinterpretation and evaluation of some simple descriptive interference in terms of one-sided and two-sided competition. Oikos 65: 256-264

    Google Scholar 

  • Wall DA (1993) Comparisons of Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis) and Wild Oat (Avena fatua) growth, development, and competitiveness under three temperature regimes. Weed Science 41: 369-378

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherspoon DM and Schweizer EE (1971) Competiton between sugarbeet and five densities of kochia.Weed Science 19: 125-128

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells GJ (1979) Annual weed competition in wheat crops: the effect of weed density and applied nitrogen. Weed Research 19: 185-191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson M (1999) Invasions. Ecography 22: 5-12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • deWit CT (1960) On competition. Verslagen van Landbouwkundige Onderzoekingen 66: 1-82

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimdahl RL (1980) Weed Competition: A Review. International Plant Protection Center, Corvallis, Oregon

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimdahl RL (1993) Fundamentals ofWeed Science. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Montserrat Vilà

  2. Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK

    Mark Williamson

  3. CSIRO Entomology and CRC for Weed Management Systems, G.P.O. Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Mark Lonsdale

Authors
  1. Montserrat Vilà
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark Williamson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark Lonsdale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Montserrat Vilà.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vilà, M., Williamson, M. & Lonsdale, M. Competition Experiments on Alien Weeds with Crops: Lessons for Measuring Plant Invasion Impact?. Biological Invasions 6, 59–69 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BINV.0000010122.77024.8a

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BINV.0000010122.77024.8a

Search

Navigation