Growth Characteristics of Squirreltail Seedlings in Competition with Medusahead

Abstract

A competition study between several densities of medusahead (Taeniatherum asperum (Sim) Nevski) and a constant number of squirreltail (Sitanion hystrix Scribn.) seedlings was conducted over an 85-day period in the greenhouse. At the end of experiment the average root weight of squirreltail was greater than that of medusahead even though the average shoot weight of medusahead was greater in all treatments where the two species were grown together. Squirreltail contributed only a small proportion of the total leaf length produced in containers with high densities of medusahead, but the proportion remained relatively constant throughout the experiment. In treatments where medusahead densities were low to moderate, the proportion of total leaf length produced by squirreltail decreased steadily over time.