Competition of Different Densities of Wild Mustard (Brassica kaber) and Rapeseed (Brassica napus) in Greenhouse

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the competitive effects of different densities of wild mustard<br />as against rapeseed. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications<br />using replacement series in which wild mustard and rapeseed were respectively planted in different ratios of 4:0, 3:1,<br />2:2, 1:3 and 0:4 plants per pot. Results indicated that the maximum height, number of siliques per plant, silique length<br />and number of seeds per silique in rapeseed vs. the maximum height, silique length and number of seeds per silique<br />in wild mustard were obtained in their monoculture states. Overall evaluation of relative yield showed that both<br />species were exploiting the resources in different ways or even somehow benefiting each other. Relative crowding<br />coefficient of rapeseed as against wild mustard in the 3:1 treatment was greater than that in the other plant ratio<br />treatments. Competition indices revealed that rapeseed benefited from a more competitive ability than wild mustard.