Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T13:34:37.119Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effect of light and density on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) root growth and soil moisture use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Joseph M. DiTomaso ,
Guy B. Kyser  and
Carri B. Pirosko
Guy B. Kyser
Affiliation:
Weed Science Program, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Carri B. Pirosko
Affiliation:
California Department of Food and Agriculture, 20235 Charlanne Drive, Redding, CA 96002
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Yellow starthistle root growth was measured under field conditions using a minirhizotron camera system. Roots grew 1.0 to 1.3 cm d−1 and quickly reached the bottom of the 100-cm tube. When plants were grown under 80 and 92% shading, roots grew 45 and 64% slower, respectively, than when plants were grown unshaded. Using a neutron probe, we evaluated the effect of yellow starthistle density on soil moisture depletion to 180 cm in the soil profile. At the end of the growing season, we also measured aboveground biomass and seedhead production. Total plant dry weight and seedhead number at the lowest density (0.6 plants m−2) were 43 and 97% of the maximum values, respectively, suggesting that yellow starthistle is capable of reaching near-maximum yield at low densities. Moisture depletion was density dependent, and plants in low-density plots used more soil moisture from deep in the profile than from shallow soil (30 cm) early in the season. In contrast, yellow starthistle densities > 90 plants m−2 rapidly depleted moisture from all depths in the soil profile by preflowering growth stages. High yellow starthistle density expands the moisture depletion zone and leads to increased shallow moisture depletion. In high-density plots, soil moisture did not recharge, compared with bare-ground plots, after subnormal winter and spring precipitation. These results illustrate the importance of reducing yellow starthistle densities in grassland restoration efforts, where shallow soil moisture is critical to the establishment of seeded perennial grasses or annual forbs and where moderate to deep soil moisture is essential for the establishment and survival of transplanted shrubs and trees.

Keywords

Yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis L. CENSOInvasivelight suppressionminirhizotronneutron probenoncrop weedsoil moisture
Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 51 , Issue 3 , June 2003 , pp. 334 - 341
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Benefield, C. B., DiTomaso, J. M., Kyser, G. B., and Tschohl, A. 2001. Reproductive biology of yellow starthistle: maximizing late-season control. Weed Sci. 49:83–90.Google Scholar
Borman, M. M., Johnson, D. E., and Krueger, W. C. 1992. Soil moisture extraction by vegetation in a Mediterranean/Maritime climatic regime. Agron. J. 84:897–904.Google Scholar
DiTomaso, J. M., Heise, K. L., Kyser, G. B., Merenlender, A. M., and Keiffer, R. J. 2001. Carefully timed burning can control barb goatgrass. Calif. Agric. 55:47–53.Google Scholar
DiTomaso, J. M., Kyser, G. B., Orloff, S. B., and Enloe, S. F. 2000. Integrated strategies offer site-specific control of yellow starthistle. Calif. Agric. 54:30–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DiTomaso, J. M., Kyser, G. B., Orloff, S. B., Enloe, S. F., and Nader, G. A. 1999. New growth regulator herbicide provides excellent control of yellow starthistle. Calif. Agric. 53:12–16.Google Scholar
Gerlach, J. D. Jr. 2000. A Model Experimental System for Predicting the Invasion Success and Ecosystem Impacts of Non-Indigenous Summer-Flowering Annual Plants in California's Central Valley Grasslands and Oak Woodlands. Ph.D. dissertation. University of California, Davis, CA. 102 p.Google Scholar
Gerlach, J. D., Dyer, A., and Rice, K. J. 1998. Grassland and foothill woodland ecosystems of the Central Valley. Fremontia. 26:39–43.Google Scholar
Harper, J. and Gajic, D. 1961. Experimental studies of the mortality and plasticity of a weed. Weed Res. 1:91–104.Google Scholar
Joley, D. B., Maddox, D. M., Supkoff, D. M., and Mayfield, A. 1992. Dynamics of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) achenes in the field and laboratory. Weed Sci. 40:190–194.Google Scholar
Kira, T., Ogawa, H., Hozumi, K., Yoda, K., Asahira, T., and Shinozaki, K. 1956. Intraspecific competition among higher plants V-VIII. J. Inst. Polytech. Osaka City Univ. Ser. D. 7:1–94.Google Scholar
Larson, L. L., Kiemnec, G. L., and McInnis, M. L. 1992. Effects of water and salt stress on yellow starthistle germination and root growth. Knapweed. 6 (2): 1–4.Google Scholar
Mielke, P. W., Berry, K. J., Brockwell, P. J., and Williams, J. S. 1981. A class of nonparametric techniques based on multiresponse permutation procedures. Biometrika. 68:720–724.Google Scholar
Pitcairn, M. J., O’Connell, R. A., and Gendron, J. M. 1997. Yellow starthistle: survey of statewide distribution. Pages 53–56 In Woods, D. M., ed. Biological Control Program Annual Summary, 1996. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Food Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services.Google Scholar
Roché, B. F. Jr., Roché, C. T., and Chapman, R. C. 1994. Impacts of grassland habitat on yellow starthistle invasion. Northwest Sci. 68:86–96.Google Scholar
Sheley, R. L. and Larson, L. L. 1994. Comparative growth and interference between cheatgrass and yellow starthistle seedlings. J. Range Manag. 47:470–474.Google Scholar
Sheley, R. L. and Larson, L. L. 1995. Interference between cheatgrass and yellow starthistle at three soil depths. J. Range Manag. 48:392–397.Google Scholar
Sheley, R. L. and Larson, L. L. 1997. Cheatgrass and yellow starthistle growth at three soil depths. J. Range Manag. 50:146–150.Google Scholar
Sheley, R. L., Larson, L. L., and Johnson, D. E. 1993. Germination and root dynamics of range weeds and forage species. Weed Technol. 7:234–237.Google Scholar
Thomsen, C. D. and Williams, W. A. 1992. Controlling yellow starthistle with livestock grazing in California. Knapweed. 6 (3): 1–3.Google Scholar
Thomsen, C. D., Williams, W. A., Vayssières, M. P., Turner, C. E., and Lanini, W. T. 1996. Yellow Starthistle Biology and Control. University of California DANR Publ. No. 21541. 19 p.Google Scholar
Watkinson, A. R. 1980. Density dependence in single-species populations of plants. J. Theor. Biol. 83:345–357.Google Scholar