Effects of Florida Beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) and Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) on Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Yield

Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC] reduced peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Florunner′) yields more than sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) when the crop and weeds were allowed to compete for the full season. Regression analyses within years indicated peanut yield reductions of 15.8 to 30.2 kg/ha for each Florida beggarweed per 10 m2 vs. 6.1 to 22.3 kg/ha for each sicklepod per 10 m2. Each kilogram fresh weight per hectare of Florida beggarweed reduced peanut yields 0.15 to 0.74 kg/ha. Reductions in peanut yields ranged from 0.08 to 0.23 kg/ha for each kilogram fresh weight per hectare of sicklepod. Peanut yield reductions correlated more closely with the weights of the weeds than with their populations.