Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the inter-specific competitive interaction between Ageratina adenophora and Zea mays and to explore the methods of controlling the invasive weed A.adenophora by replacing growth of Z.mays,and then meet the combination of grain crop production and weed control.Tillage methods,cutting ways for A.adenophora and different density of Z.mays were considered.Plant height,density and competitiveness for light,nutrients(e.g.N,P,K)and water of A.adenophora and Z.mays as well as the yield and market values of Z.mays were investigated to evaluate the competition effects between A.adenophora and Z.mays.Results showed that A.adenophora was the dominant population and the growth and yield of Zea mays were inhibited when Z.mays seeds were sown between the plant gaps of A.adenophorum without tillage.However,Z.mays became the dominant population companioned with a significant competitive advantage of light and nutrients usage when Z.mays seeds were sown after cutting or removing A.adenophorum without tillage.And moreover,the growth of A.adenophorum was inhibited,and the absorbed nutrients and water were significantly reduced.The invasive weed A.adenophora was displaced completely by Zea mays within rotary tillage treatment and the yield of Z.mays reached 9 774.0 kg/ha.The results indicated that through reasonable agronomic cultivation measures,the use of corn replacement could not only effectively prevent and control Eupatorium adenophorum,but also produce considerable ecological benefits.Hence,it has certain theoretical and practical significance for the research and development of effective comprehensive prevention and control technology of Eupatorium adenophorum.

Key words: Corn, Ageratina adenophora (Sprengl), Replacement control, Competition effects