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Title: MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION AMONG HEMP DOGBANE (APOCYNUM CANNABINUM) POPULATIONS

Author
item RANSOM, COREY - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item KELLS, JAMES - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item WAX, LOYD
item ORFANEDES, MICHAEL - UNIV OF ILLINOIS

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Hemp dogbane is a very troublesome perennial weed in crops in much of the Corn Belt. In growers' fields, hemp dogbane varies in appearance and difficulty of control. Thus, we began studies to determine how much biotypes from different areas varied in growth habit and size, shape and aggressiveness. Collections of plants were made from various areas in Michigan and Illinois. Sixteen collections (8 from each state) were planted and established in nurseries near East Lansing, Michigan and Champaign, Illinois. We measured growth, stem and leaf characteristics for each collection at both nurseries. Large differences were seen in shoot numbers and shoot heights. Collections varied geatly in their spread over time via the extensive root system, showing big differences in aggressiveness. Some collections could be identified by thier unusual leaf shpes. Shoot number, shoot height, and plot area (aggressiveness) were greater for collections growing in East Lansing. The differences in measurements between the two nurseries show the role of environment and genetics in the growth and morphology of this plant species. These findings add to the database regarding this hard-to-control perennial weed, and may help researchers in finding an aspect of this weed to exploit for future control. The results of these studies should be useful to public and private research and extension scientists who are researching this weed and planning guidelines for weed management.

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted at East Lansing, Michigan, and Champaign, Illinois, to study morphological variation among hemp dogbane populations. Plants were collected from locations throughout Michigan and Illinois. Eight collections from each state were used to establish 16 collections at nurseries in East Lansing, Michigan, and Champaign, Illinois. Growth, stem characteristics, and leaf characteristics were measured for each collection at both nurseries. Differences among collections were observed for all measurements with the exception of emergence date and growing degree to emergence. The number of shoots produced by the collections ranged from 5 to 54, while shoot height ranged from 69 to 126 centimeters. Collections spread laterally at different rates with the most aggressive collection covering 19 times more plot area than the least aggressive collection. Total shoot dry weight varied greatly among collections. Some collections could be identified from others by their unique leaf shape. Shoot number, shoot height, and plot area were greater for collections growing in East Lansing. Differences in growth and morphological characteristics among collections were not correlated with the location from which the collections originated. Differences in measurements between the two nurseries illustrates the role of environment and genetics in the growth and morphology of this plant species.