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

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