Competition between Canada Thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

This study was conducted to investigate whether density, above-ground biomass and nitrogen (N) concentration of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. cause serious reductions in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) yield. A 2-year field experiment (1991–93) with four Cirsium densities (0, 4, 16, 64 plants m^–2) was carried out. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of Cirsium density on faba bean yield. Multiple regression analysis showed that the main factors causing faba bean yield losses were the density and above-ground biomass of Cirsium . The results of this study demonstrate that Cirsium competition reduces faba bean yield. The mean faba bean yield losses over the 2 years were 10, 12 and 8% for above-ground biomass, seed and stem, respectively, for a Cirsium density of 16 plants m^–2.