Abstract
Sweet acacia [Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.]is a problematic thorny weed species in several parts of Australia. Knowledge of its seed biology could help to formulate weed management decisions for this and other similar species. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hot water (scarification), alternating temperatures, light, salt stress, and water stress on seed germination of two populations of V. farnesiana and to evaluate the response of its young seedlings (the most sensitive development stage) to commonly available POST herbicides in Australia. Both populations behaved similarly to all the environmental factors and herbicides; therefore, data were pooled over the populations. Seeds immersed in hot water at 90 C for 10 min provided the highest germination (88%), demonstrating physical dormancy in this species. Seeds germinated at a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures from 20/10 C (35%) to 35/25 C (90%) but no seeds germinated at 15/5 C. Germination was not affected by light, suggesting that seeds are nonphotoblastic and can germinate under a plant canopy or when buried in soil. Germination was not affected by sodium chloride concentrations up to 20 mM and about 50% of seeds could germinate at 160 mM sodium chloride, suggesting its high salt tolerance ability. Germination was only 13% at −0.2 MPa osmotic potential and no seeds germinated at −0.4 MPa, suggesting that V. farnesiana seeds may remain ungerminated until moisture conditions have become conducive for germination. A number of POST herbicides, including 2,4-D + picloram, glufosinate, paraquat and saflufenacil, provided >85% control of biomass of young seedlings compared with the nontreated control treatment. Knowledge gained from this study will help to predict the potential spread of V. farnesiana in other areas and help to integrate herbicide use with other management strategies.
Morphoanatomical and histochemical studies of the seed development of Euterpe oleracea (Arecaceae)
