Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) seedling emergence and establishment in a Colorado grassland |
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Authors: | Paul J Meiman Edward F Redente and Mark W Paschke |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, 1472 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1472, USA;(2) MWH Americas, Inc., 3665 JFK Parkway, Suite 206, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA |
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Abstract: | Knapweeds (Centaurea spp.) are damaging invaders of grasslands and other North American rangelands. A field study was conducted to determine conditions
that promote diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa) emergence and establishment in a native Colorado grassland (North America). Knapweed was planted in native grassland under
treatments with different opening sizes, levels of competition, knapweed seed burial and season of seeding. There was no effect
of opening size where competing natives were alive, but knapweed emergence in 5- and 15-cm openings was higher than 0-cm openings
where natives were killed. Reducing competition reduced fall diffuse knapweed emergence, but did not affect spring emergence.
Seed burial increased knapweed emergence, but the effect varied by season. Although diffuse knapweed emergence reached 35%,
only four plants survived from 3,600 seeds. This native grassland did not prevent knapweed emergence or establishment, but
both were so low that rapid knapweed invasion is unlikely. |
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Keywords: | Emergence Exotic plants Invasive plants Invasibility Noxious weeds Soil disturbance Openings |
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