Relative competition between white clover and weed species Silene gallica

The aim of the present study was to assess the relative competition between white clover (cv. BRS URS Entrevero) and weed species Silene gallica L. through replacement series. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with four replications. The first study showed that the shoot dry mass of both species (white clover and S. gallica) became constant with 16 plants.pot(-1) or 400 plants.m(-2). In 2017, a study was conducted and it was repeated in 2018 in order to assess white clover competition with S. gallica under different crop:weed proportions pot-1 (100:00; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75 and 00:100). Competitiveness analysis was carried out through diagrams applied to replace experiments and through the relative competition indices. Morphological parameters such as plant height, leaf area and shoot dry mass of the crop and the weed were measured when S. gallica plants bloomed (105 days after species emergence). Results have proven the phenotypic plasticity of temperate-climate foragers such as white clover. This outcome shows that the competitive relationship with Silene gallica changes due to plant proportions composing the association. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the species show similar competitive ability.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the relative competition between white clover and weed species Silene gallica through replacement series, showing that the competitive relationship changes with different plant proportions. White clover displayed phenotypic plasticity, proving similar competitive abilities with Silene gallica.