Growth Reduction of Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) Seedlings Caused by Interaction with a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid (Sudex)

Abstract

Growth of Eastern redbud ( Cercis canadensis L. ) seedlings was significantly reduced when co-cultivated with living sudex ( Sorghum bicolor ( L .) Moench × Sorghum sudanese (P.) Stapf. cv. FFR 201) and when sudex leaf material was incorporated into the growing medium. The reduction in redbud growth could not be reversed with increased fertilizer rates. Increasing the amount of fresh ordried sudex incorporated into the medium reduced redbud seedling growth in a linear manner. Sudex leaf material placed on the soil surface as a mulch had no effect on redbud growth.