Seed Germination Ecology of South Eastern Australian Rigid Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) Populations

Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Michael Thompson ◽  
Gulshan Mahajan ◽  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan

Abstract Herbicide resistance is an increasing issue in many weed species, including rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin); a major weed of winter cropping systems in southern Australia. Recently, this weed has also been found in summer crops in the south eastern region of Australia. Effective control of this herbicide resistant weed across south eastern Australia requires alternative management strategies. These strategies can be informed from analyses on the interaction of germinable seeds with their regional environment and by identifying the differences between populations of varying herbicide resistance levels. In this study, we explore how various environmental factors differentially affect the seed germination and seedling emergence of three L. rigidum populations, including one glyphosate-resistant population (GR), one glyphosate-susceptible population (GS) and one population of unknown resistance status (CC04). Germination was greater than 90% for all populations at each temperature regime except 15/5 C. Populations germinated at a lower rate under 15/5 C, ranging from 74 to 87%. Salt stress had a similar effect on the germination of all populations, with 0% germination occurring at 250 mM salt stress. Population GS had greater tolerance to osmotic stress with 65% germination at −0.4 MPa compared to 47% and 43% germination for CC04 and GR, respectively; however, germination was inhibited at −0.8 and −1.6 MPa for all populations. All populations had lower germination when placed in complete darkness as opposed to alternating light/dark. Germination in darkness was lower for CC04 (69%) than GR (83%) and GS (83%). Seedling emergence declined with increasing burial depth but retained 37% emergence at 8 cm when averaged over the populations. These results indicate that L. rigidum Gaud. can survive under a range of environmental variables and the extent of survival differs based on population, however, there was no difference based on herbicide resistance status.

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Wills ◽  
Jennifer Read

Various fire-related agents, including heat, smoke, ash and charred wood, have been shown to break dormancy and promote germination of soil-stored seed in a broad range of species in mediterranean-type systems. However, relatively little work has been conducted in south-eastern Australian heathlands. This study examined the effects of heat and smoked water on germination of the soil seed bank in a mature sand heathland within the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, in south-eastern Australia. Heat was clearly the most successful treatment for promoting seed germination, followed by smoked water, then controls, with 55% of species present in the germinable soil seed bank requiring a heat or smoke stimulus to promote seed germination. Mean species richness of the germinable soil seed bank was found to be significantly higher in heat-treated soil than in smoke and control treatments. Seedling density of heat-treated soil was almost 10 times that of controls, while smoke-treated soil was almost five times that of controls. Seedling emergence was fastest in heat-treated soil, followed by smoke and control soils. Of the species found in the soil seed bank, 25% were absent from the extant vegetation, suggesting the existence of post-fire colonisers in the soil seed bank. The results have implications for the design of soil seed bank experiments and the use of fire as a tool in vegetation management.


Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Aseemjot Singh ◽  
Gulshan Mahajan ◽  
Bhagirath Singh Chauhan

Abstract Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) is a widespread weed of the southeastern cropping region of Australia. Seed germination ecology of S. arvensis populations selected from different climatic regions may differ due to adaptative traits. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature, light, radiant heat, soil moisture, salt concentration, and burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence of two [Queensland (Qld) population: tropical region; and Victoria (Vic) population: temperate region] populations of S. arvensis. Both populations germinated over a wide range of day/night (12 h/12 h) temperatures (15/5 to 35/25 C), and had the highest germination at 30/20 C. Under complete darkness, the Qld population (61%) had higher germination than the Vic population (21%); however, under the light/dark regime, both populations had similar germination (78 to 86%). At 100 C pretreatment for 5 min, the Qld population (44%) had higher germination than the Vic population (13%). Germination of both populations was nil when given pretreatment at 150 and 200 C. The Vic population was found tolerant to high osmotic and salt stress compared with the Qld population. At an osmotic potential of −0.4 MPa, germination of Qld and Vic populations was reduced by 85% and 42%, respectively, compared with their respective control. At 40, 80, and 160 mM sodium chloride, germination of the Qld population was lower than the Vic population. Averaged over the populations, seedling emergence was highest (52%) from a burial depth of 1 cm and was nil from 8 cm depth. Differential germination behaviors of both populations to temperature, light, radiant heat, water stress, and salt stress suggests that populations of S. arvensis may have undergone differential adaptation. Knowledge gained from this study will assist in developing suitable control measures for this weed species to reduce the soil seedbank.


Weed Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraj Nosratti ◽  
Sajad Almaleki ◽  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan

AbstractSoldier thistle [Picnomon acarna(L.) Cass.] is widely distributed throughout rainfed fields across western Iran, where it decreases crop yields and interferes with harvest operations. This study was conducted to determine the influence of different factors on seed germination and seedling emergence ofP. acarna. Freshly harvested seeds were dormant and required an after-ripening period for breaking dormancy. Seed germination was greatly promoted by light. Germination occurred over a wide spectrum of constant and fluctuating temperature regimes, ranging from 5 to 35 C, with highest germination at constant (74%) and fluctuating (94%) temperatures of 20 and 20/10 C. Seed germination ofP. acarnawas tolerant to osmotic potential, while salt stress significantly inhibited its germination percentage. pH was not an inhibiting factor for germination ofP. acarnaseeds. Seedling emergence decreased exponentially with an increase in seed burial depth in the soil; at soil burial depths of 4 cm or greater, no seedlings were able to reach the soil surface. The results suggest that significant seed germination ofP. acarnain rainfed fields is possible, and the weed has great potential to spread throughout rainfed systems in western Iran. Based on these results, effective control ofP. acarnacan be achieved by applying interrow cultivation in row crops and deep tillage at seedbed preparation.


Weed Science ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
Gurjeet Gill ◽  
Christopher Preston

Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongchun Wang ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Liyao Dong ◽  
Yuanlai Lou

The influence of temperature, light, solution pH, water stress, salt stress, and burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence of catchweed bedstraw and the sensitivity of that weed to commonly available herbicides in China were studied in laboratory and greenhouse. Germination occurred at day/night temperatures from 5/0 C to 30/25 C, with optimum germination at 15/10 C. Catchweed bedstraw germinated equally well under a 12-h photoperiod and continuous darkness; however, a 24-h photoperiod inhibited seed germination. Catchweed bedstraw seed is moderately sensitive to osmotic potential and salt stress, with 15 and 3% germination rates at an osmotic potential of −0.5 Mpa and salinity level of 120 mM, respectively. Maximum seed germination was observed in near neutral pH; germination was greater than 80% over a broad pH range from 5 to 8. Seedling emergence of the seeds buried at a depth of 1 cm was higher (74%) than those placed on the soil surface (20%), but declined with burial depth increasing. Few (10%) seedlings emerged when seeds were placed at a depth of 5 cm. Bensulfuron-methyl, and ethametsulfuron-methyl applied PRE and tribenuron-methyl, fluroxypyr, and florasulam applied POST can be used to provide greater than 80% control of catchweed bedstraw. The results of this study have contributed to more complete understanding of the germination and emergence of catchweed bedstraw.


Weed Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 732-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eshagh Keshtkar ◽  
Solvejg K. Mathiassen ◽  
Roland Beffa ◽  
Per Kudsk

Seedling emergence traits of susceptible (S) and resistant (R) blackgrass subpopulations isolated from a single non–target-site resistant (NTSR) population were studied in controlled conditions. The seedling emergence of the R subpopulation was lower and slower than that of the S subpopulation, especially at low temperature and deep burial. The burial depth inhibiting final emergence by 50% for the R subpopulation was significantly lower than that of the S subpopulation at low temperature. The present study revealed that under suboptimal conditions the NTSR loci conferring herbicide resistance were correlated with a fitness cost in relation to seedling emergence traits. The results suggest that deep soil cultivation and delayed sowing of autumn-sown crops can hamper germination of the R more than of the S subpopulation and thus potentially reduce the prevalence of the R subpopulation in the blackgrass population.


Weed Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Yonghuan Yue ◽  
Guili Jin ◽  
Weihua Lu ◽  
Ke Gong ◽  
Wanqiang Han ◽  
...  

Abstract Drunken horse grass [Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng] is a perennial poisonous weed in western China. A comprehensive understanding of the ecological response of A. inebrians germination to environmental factors would facilitate the formulation of better management strategies for this weed. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to assess the effects of various abiotic factors, including temperature, light, water, pH and burial depth, on the seed germination and seedling emergence of A. inebrians. The seeds germinated at constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35°C and in alternating-temperature regimes of 15/5, 20/10, 25/15, 30/20, 35/25, 40/30°C, and the seed germination percentages under constant and alternating temperatures ranged from 51% to 94% and 15% to 93%, respectively. Maximum germination occurred at a constant temperature of 25°C, and germination was prevented at 45/35°C. Light did not appear to affect seed germination. The germination percentage of seeds was more than 75% in the pH range of 5 to 10, with the highest germination percentage at pH 6. The seeds germinated at osmotic potentials of 0 MPa to -1.0 MPa, but decreasing osmotic potential inhibited germination, with no germination at -1.2MPa. After 21 d of low osmotic stress, the seeds that did not germinate after rehydration had not lost their vitality. The seedling emergence percentage was highest (90%) when seeds were buried at 1 cm but declined with increasing burial depth and no emergence at 9 cm. Deep tillage may be effective in limiting the seed germination and emergence of this species. The results of this study provide useful information on the conditions necessary for A. inebrians germination and provide a theoretical basis for science-based prediction, prevention and control of this species.


Weed Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Zhao ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Wenlei Guo ◽  
Lele Zhang ◽  
Lu’an Ge ◽  
...  

Shortawn foxtail is an invasive grass weed infesting winter wheat and canola production in China. A better understanding of the germination ecology of shortawn foxtail would help to develop better control strategies for this weed. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the effects of various abiotic factors, including temperature, light, pH, osmotic stress, salt concentration, and planting depth, on seed germination and seedling emergence of shortawn foxtail. The results showed that the seed germination rate was greater than 90% over a wide range of constant (5 to 25C) and alternating (15/5 to 35/25C) temperatures. Maximum germination occurred at 20C or 25/15C, and no germination occurred at 35C. Light did not appear to have any effect on seed germination. Shortawn foxtail germination was 27% to 99% over a pH range of 4 to 10, and higher germination was obtained at alkaline pH values ranging from 7 to 10. Seed germination was sensitive to osmotic potential and completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −0.6 MPa, but it was tolerant to salinity: germination even occurred at 200 mM NaCl (5%). Seedling emergence was highest (98%) when seeds were placed on the soil surface but declined with the increasing burial depth. No seedlings emerged when seeds were buried 6-cm deep. Deep tillage could be an effective measure to limit seed germination from increased burial depth. The results of this study will lead to a better understanding of the requirements for shortawn foxtail germination and emergence and will provide information that could contribute to its control.


Weed Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace E-K. Bolfrey-Arku ◽  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
David E. Johnson

Itchgrass is a weed of many crops throughout the tropics and one of the most important grass weeds of rainfed rice. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and screenhouse to determine the effects of light, alternating day/night temperatures, high temperature pretreatment, water stress, seed burial depth, and rice residue on seed germination and seedling emergence of itchgrass in the Philippines. Two populations were evaluated and the results were consistent for both populations. Germination in the light/dark regime was greater at alternating day/night temperatures of 25/15 C than at 35/25, 30/20, or 20/10 C. Light was not a requirement for germination, but a light/dark regime increased germination by 96%, across temperature and population. A 5-min high temperature pretreatment for 50% inhibition of maximum itchgrass germination ranged from 145 to 151 C with no germination when seeds were exposed to ≥ 180 C. The osmotic potential required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination was −0.6 MPa for itchgrass, although some seeds germinated at −0.8 MPa. Seedling emergence was greatest for seeds placed on the soil surface, and emergence declined with increasing soil burial depth; no seedlings emerged from seeds buried at 10 cm. The addition of rice residue to soil surface in pots at rates equivalent to 4 to 6 Mg ha−1reduced itchgrass seedling emergence. Since seedling emergence was greatest at shallow depths and germination was stimulated by light, itchgrass may become a problem in systems where soil is cultivated at shallow depths. Knowledge gained in this study could contribute to developing components of integrated weed management strategies for itchgrass.


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