Germination ecology of Sonchus oleraceus L. in the northern region of Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudheesh Manalil ◽  
Hafiz Haider Ali ◽  
Bhagirath Singh Chauhan

In Australia, Sonchus oleraceus has been emerging as a major weed in conservation agricultural systems. The effect of environmental factors on germination and emergence of S. oleraceus was assessed on populations collected from Gatton (SOG) and St. George (SOS) regions of Australia, which are high and low rainfall regions respectively. Germination of both populations responded similarly to various environmental factors studied. Although S. oleraceus seeds germinated under a broad range of temperatures (15/5, 20/10, 25/15 and 30/20°C day/night), germination was lower at 15/5°C. There was only 47–53% germination under dark conditions compared with 62–87% under alternating light–dark. Germination was only 2 and 3% at –0.8 MPa osmotic potential for SOG and SOS populations respectively, and no germination occurred at –1 MPa. Germination was 6 and 8% at 200 mM NaCl for SOG and SOS populations respectively. Although S. oleraceus seed germination exceeded 80% for pH 6–7, germination was reduced at pH outside this range. Germination was 83 and 87% for SOG and SOS populations respectively at the soil surface; and emergence decreased with increasing depth, with none from seeds buried at 6 cm depth. Wheat residue amount within the range of 0–2000 kg ha–1 did not alter germination; however, germination was significantly reduced when the crop residue amount increased to 4000 kg ha–1 and the lowest germination was at 6000 kg ha–1. The potential to germinate under diverse environmental conditions correlates with the widespread occurrence of this weed in the northern region of Australia. High residue amounts and occasional tillage leading to deep burial of seeds may reduce its emergence and incidence.

Weed Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Rana ◽  
Barton J. Wilder ◽  
Brent A. Sellers ◽  
Jason A. Ferrell ◽  
Gregory E. MacDonald

Smutgrass is an invasive warm-season perennial bunch-type grass native to tropical Asia. The two varieties of smutgrass prevalent in Florida are small smutgrass and giant smutgrass. Laboratory seed germination experiments were conducted on both smutgrass varieties to determine the effect of various environmental factors on germination and emergence. The average germination rate for both varieties was 88% at 30/20 C day/night temperatures. Seed germination for both varieties was greater under simulated temperature flux than at constant temperatures. Seed of both varieties germinated at four simulated Florida temperature fluxes (22/11, 27/15, 33/24, and 29/19 C day/night), although the germination of small smutgrass and giant smutgrass was reduced at 33/24 and 22/11 C, respectively. Germination of small and giant smutgrass under dark conditions was 27 and 53%, respectively. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a wide range of pH values. Small and giant smutgrass germination was inhibited at water potentials below −0.2 MPa and when small smutgrass seed was placed below the soil surface. Emergence of giant smutgrass seed did not occur below 3 cm. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a broad range of environmental conditions, indicating their capability of year-round germination; however, germination is only likely to occur under field conditions during the summer growing season when rainfall is prevalent. These results indicate that both species have the ability to germinate over a wide range of environmental conditions but that germination is inhibited by moisture stress and depth of burial. Considering that giant smutgrass prefers higher temperatures than small smutgrass, the advent of rainfall from June through September is conducive for germination. Practices that focus on the germination pattern of smutgrass could lead to better long-term management of smutgrass in Florida.


Weed Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Rao ◽  
Liyao Dong ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Hongjun Zhang

The influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of American sloughgrass was studied in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The optimum temperature for seed germination was 10 C and light was not necessary. Seed germination was sensitive to osmotic potential and completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −0.6 MPa, but it was quite tolerant to salinity: germination occurred even at 160 mM NaCl (36%). More than 80% of seeds germinated at pH values ranging between 4 and 10. Seedling emergence was highest when seeds were placed on the soil surface (91%) but declined with burial depth. Few (3%) seedlings emerged when seeds were planted at a depth of 5 cm. Information gained in this study will lead to a better understanding of the requirements for American sloughgrass germination and emergence.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽  
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez

Abstract U. platyphylla is a weedy grass species commonly found in disturbed, open and sandy sites such as crop fields, ditches and roadsides. It is considered a troublesome weed because of its tolerance to some herbicides principally in maize plantations (Chamblee et al., 1982; Gallaher et al.,1999). U. platyphylla is highly adaptable and it is able to germinate and grow throughout a wide range of soil and environmental conditions (Burke et al., 2003). Additionally, its seeds may remain on the crop residue until pre-emergence herbicides are no longer effective in controlling the germinating seeds, at which time the seeds fall to the soil surface and germinate (Alford et al., 2005).


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.


Agronomy ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Lei Chu ◽  
Yiping Gao ◽  
Lingling Chen ◽  
Patrick E. McCullough ◽  
David Jespersen ◽  
...  

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is cultivated as a forage crop and planted in various landscapes for soil conservation. There are numerous reports of failed white clover stands each year. A good understanding of the seed germination biology of white clover in relation to environmental factors is essential to achieve successful stand establishment. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the impacts of light, temperature, planting depth, drought, and salt stress on seed germination and the emergence of white clover. White clover is negatively photoblastic, and seed germination averaged 63 and 66% under light and complete dark conditions 4 weeks after planting (WAP), respectively. Temperature affected the seed germination speed and rate. At 1 WAP, seeds incubated at 15 to 25 °C demonstrated a significantly higher germination rate than the low temperatures at 5 and 10 °C; however, the germination rate did not differ among the temperature treatments at 4 WAP. The results suggest that white clover germination decreases with increasing sowing depths, and the seeds should be sown on the soil surface or shallowly buried at a depth ≤1 cm to achieve an optimal emergence. White clover seeds exhibited high sensitivity to drought and salinity stress. The osmotic potential and NaCl concentration required to inhibit 50% seed germination were −0.19 MPa and 62.4 mM, respectively. Overall, these findings provide quantifiable explanations for inconsistent establishment observed in field conditions. The results obtained in this research can be used to develop effective planting strategies and support the successful establishment of white clover stands.


Weed Science ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 854-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
Gurjeet Gill ◽  
Christopher Preston

Annual sowthistle has become more abundant under no-till systems in southern Australia. Increased knowledge of germination biology of annual sowthistle would facilitate development of effective weed control programs. The effects of environmental factors on germination and emergence of annual sowthistle seeds were examined in laboratory and field experiments. Seeds of annual sowthistle were able to germinate over a broad range of temperatures (25/15, 20/12, and 15/9 C day/night temperatures). Seed germination was favored by light; however, some germination occurred in the dark as well. Greater than 90% of seeds germinated at a low level of salinity (40 mM NaCl), and some seeds germinated even at 160 mM NaCl (7.5%). Germination decreased from 95% to 11% as osmotic potential increased from 0 to −0.6 MPa and was completely inhibited at osmotic potential greater than −0.6 MPa. Seed germination was greater than 90% over a pH range of 5 to 8, but declined to 77% at pH 10. Seedling emergence was the greatest (77%) for seeds present on the soil surface but declined with depth, and no seedlings emerged from a soil depth of 5 cm. In another experiment in which seeds were after-ripened at different depths in a field, seed decay was greater on the soil surface than at 2 or 5 cm depth. At the end of the growing season, there was a much greater persistence of buried seed (32 to 42%) than seeds present on the soil surface (8%). Greater persistence of buried seed could be due to dormancy enforced by dark in this species.


Weed Science ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T. Molin ◽  
Rehana A. Khan ◽  
Robert B. Barinbaum ◽  
David M. Kopec

Green kyllinga is a relatively new weed species in well-irrigated turfs in the southwest US. To understand the germination requirements of green kyllinga, the effects of planting depth, temperature, pH, and osmotic potential were determined. Green kyllinga emergence was sensitive to planting depth. At 21 days after planting (DAP), emergence of green kyllinga was 60% when planted at the soil surface but only 20% at 0.5 cm and less than 5% at 1 cm. Germination occurred at temperatures between 17 and 30 C but was notably better between 20 and 24 C. Germination was uniform from pH 5.5 to 9.5. Germination decreased between the water potentials −0.1 to −0.6 MPa, although germination was high at water potentials found in irrigated turf. The environmental conditions found in nonstressed turf areas in Arizona will likely support the establishment of green kyllinga. The efficacy of herbicides for the control of green kyllinga was also determined. Control of kyllinga (95% or greater) was obtained with preemergence applications of oxadiazon, dithiopyr, and metolachlor, and with postemergence applications of DSMA, halosulfuron-methyl, and imazaquin.


Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
David E. Johnson

Synedrella is a tropical annual plant species of the family Asteraceae that is widely distributed in many crops in nearly 50 countries. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of various environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of synedrella. Germination response was greater at 30/20 C and 35/25 C than at 25/15 C fluctuating day/night temperatures. Light stimulated germination; however, a small proportion of after-ripened seeds germinated in the dark. Seedling emergence was greatest (96%) for seeds placed on the soil surface but declined with increased seed burial depth. No seedlings emerged from a depth of 4 cm. Seedling emergence and seedling dry matter declined with the addition of crop residue to the soil surface; however, higher quantities of residue than those normally found in low-yield systems were required to result in substantial reductions in emergence. Seed germination was tolerant of moderate salt concentrations (40 to 100 mM sodium chloride) and a broad range of pH (4 to 10) but was sensitive to low osmotic potentials (< −0.8 MPa). The information gained from this study could help predict the invasion potential of this species and could lead to improved management strategies.


Weed Science ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 989-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford H. Koger ◽  
Krishna N. Reddy ◽  
Daniel H. Poston

Field, laboratory, and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the seed production potential and effect of environmental factors on germination, emergence, and survival of texasweed. Texasweed produced an average of 893 seed per plant, and 90% were viable. Seed exhibited dormancy, and prechilling did not release dormancy. Percent germination ranged from 56% for seed subjected to no prechilling to 1% for seed prechilled at 5 C for 140 d. Seed remained viable during extended prechilling conditions, with 80% of seed viable after 140 d of prechilling. Texasweed seed germinated over a range of 20 to 40 C, with optimum germination (54%) occurring with a fluctuating 40/30 C temperature regime. Seed germinated with fluctuating 12-h light/dark and constant dark conditions. Texasweed seed germinated over a broad range of pH, osmotic potential, and salt concentrations. Seed germination was 31 to 62% over a pH range from 4 to 10. Germination of texasweed ranged from 9 to 56% as osmotic potential decreased from − 0.8 MPa to 0 (distilled water). Germination was greater than 52% at less than 40 mM NaCl concentrations and lowest (27%) at 160 mM NaCl. Texasweed seedlings emerged from soil depths as deep as 7.5 cm (7% emergence), but emergence was > 67% for seed placed on the soil surface or at a 1-cm depth. Texasweed seed did not germinate under saturated or flooded conditions, but seed survived flooding and germinated (23 to 25%) after flood removal. Texasweed seedlings 2.5 to 15 cm tall were not affected by emersion in 10-cm-deep flood for up to 14 d. These results suggest that texasweed seed is capable of germinating and surviving in a variety of climatic and edaphic conditions, and that flooding is not a viable management option for emerged plants of texasweed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iraj Nosratti ◽  
Samira Soltanabadi ◽  
Saeid J. Honarmand ◽  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan

Centaurea balsamita is a problematic and invasive weed of agricultural fields in western Iran. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different environmental factors on germination and seedling emergence of this weed species. Results revealed that seed germination occurred over a wide range of temperatures (from 5°C to 35°C) with the highest germination at 25°C. Seed germination of C. balsamita was similar between light and dark conditions. Germination decreased with increased in water stress levels, but some seeds were capable of germinating at –1.4 MPa osmotic potential. Seed germination was sensitive to salt stress and complete inhibition occurred at 150 mM sodium chloride. Seed germination of C. balsamita occurred over a pH range of 4–10 with lowest seed germination at pH 4. Seed germination was inhibited by increasing concentrations of potassium nitrate. No seedlings emerged when seeds were buried in the soil at depths greater than 6 cm, suggesting that using a sweep cultivator in crops and deep tillage would be beneficial in managing C. balsamita. The ability of C. balsamita to germinate under a wide range of temperature regimes and high levels of osmotic potential shows that this weed is well adapted to invade other cropping regions, especially rain-fed fields in western Iran.


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