| heal.abstract |
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely grown forage legume in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. The successful establishment of the crop is crucial for its overall productivity. Weed infestations are a common problem, especially in spring-seeded alfalfa, with silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) being one of the most noxious weeds. The main objective of the fi eld experiment conducted in Greece in 2010 and 2011 was to evaluate the diff erences among three alfalfa cultivars (Gea, Dimitra and Hyliki) regarding their competitiveness against silverleaf nightshade and their forage yield during the fi rst crucial year of crop establishment. Moreover, density and fresh weight data of S. elaeagnifolium were also recorded. Our results showed that the presence of this weed caused an annual yield loss ranged from 8 to 26%, depending on the year and the cultivar. In particular, Hyliki was the most productive cultivar, while even with the presence of nightshade it produced signifi - cantly higher biomass than the other cultivars (up to 28%). Furthermore, Hyliki was the cultivar with the highest regrowth rate after each cutting. Weed density and biomass were also signifi cantly reduced in the case of Hyliki, while Gea was the less competitive cultivar. The results of the present study confi rm that the competitive ability of the alfalfa cultivars might have a substantial range and can be a helpful weed management tool for the growers, especially against noxious species such as S. elaeagnifolium. © Benaki Phytopathological Institute. |
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