Data from: Synergistic effects of grass competition and insect herbivory on the weed Rumex obtusifolius in an inundative biocontrol approach

<p>Data are from a field experiment to test for synergistic interactions between grass competition and herbivory on <i>Rumex obtusifolius</i>, a prominent weed in temperate grasslands worldwide.</p><p><i>Rumex obtusifolius</i> was grown in the presence and absence of competition from the grass <i>Lolium perenne</i> and subjected to herbivory through targeted inoculation with root-boring <i>Pyropteron</i> spp.</p><p>To explore whether the interactive effects of competition and herbivory were size-dependent, <i>R. obtusifolius</i> was planted covering a large range of plant sizes found in managed grasslands.</p><p>The experimental layout followed a split-split plot design. Main-level factor was <i>L. perenne</i> competition, split-level factor was herbivory application, split-split-level factor was initial root mass of <i>R. obtusifolius</i>. Main-plots were arranged according to a randomized complete block design on the site (8 blocks, each containing a <i>L. perenne</i> competition and a no competition treatment).</p>