Seed banks of forested and disturbed soils in southwestern British Columbia

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 1574-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann McGee ◽  
M. C. Feller

The species composition and density of seed banks in the forest floors and mineral soils of several undisturbed (immature, midseral forests) and disturbed (transmission line rights-of-way) ecosystems in southwestern British Columbia were estimated using the seedling-emergence method. The total soil surface area sampled was 9.4 m2. Germination behaviour of seven dominant species in response to depth of burial and substrate was also studied in a greenhouse experiment. A total of 16 289 seedlings germinated, representing 62 native and naturalized vascular plant species and several unidentified grass species. Most seedlings emerged from the forest floor, and the number of germinants generally decreased with increasing sample depth. Drier ecosystems had the lowest number and density of germinants. Burial depth significantly affected germination of all species tested. Mineral soil was equal, or superior, to forest floor as a germination substrate for all species tested. Depth–substrate interactions for several species indicated that the pattern of influence of burial depth in relation to substrate varied with species. Caution is urged extrapolating greenhouse seed-bank studies to potential weed populations in the field. Establishment of species from the seed bank will be a function of the depth to which the soil is disturbed and the kind of disturbance (burning, scarification) imposed. Key words: British Columbia, Coastal Western Hemlock zone, seed bank, seed germination, seed diversity, seed density.


Weed Science ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husrev Mennan ◽  
Mathieu Ngouajio

Catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard each produce two populations per year: a winter population (WP) in June, and a summer population (SP) in September. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the WP and SP differ in seed mass and seasonal germination. Seeds of both weeds were buried at 0, 5, 10, and 20 cm in cultivated fields, and retrieved at monthly intervals for 24 mo for germination tests in the laboratory. Additionally, seedling emergence from seeds buried at 0, 5, and 10 cm in the field was evaluated for 1 yr. Seeds from the WP were heavier than those from the SP for both species. Germination of exhumed seeds was affected by burial depth and by seed population. It was highest for seeds that remained on the soil surface and declined with increasing depth of burial. The WP of catchweed bedstraw produced two germination peaks per year, whereas the SP and all populations of wild mustard had only one peak. The WP of both weeds germinated earlier than the SP. Seedling emergence for both species in the field was greater for the WP than for the SP. Increasing soil depth reduced seedling emergence of both the WP and SP of wild mustard and affected only the WP of catchweed bedstraw. We conclude that the WP and SP of catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard seeds used in this study differed in seed mass, seasonal germination, and seedling emergence. The ability of a WP to produce large seeds that germinate early and have two germination peaks per year could make these populations a serious problem in cropping systems.





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.



2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 438-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husrev Mennan ◽  
Bernard H. Zandstra

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of depth and duration of burial on seasonal germination, primary and secondary dormancy, viability, and seedling emergence of ivyleaf speedwell (Veronica hederifoliaL.) seeds. The seeds were buried at 0, 5, 10, or 20 cm and retrieved from the field at monthly intervals. The exhumed seeds were germinated at 5 C. In the second experiment, seeds were stored in the laboratory after harvest and tested for germination at monthly intervals. In each experiment, nongerminated seeds were treated with triphenyltetrazolium chloride at monthly intervals to test their viability. The effects of stratification and burial depth on seedling emergence were observed for 1 yr. The seeds exhumed from the soil were dormant at the beginning of the experiment and exhibited dormancy/nondormancy/conditional dormancy cycling throughout the experiment. Depth of burial and time affected seed germination. Seeds retrieved from the soil surface germinated well initially, but germination decreased as depth of burial increased. In the dry storage experiment, seeds had a high level of primary dormancy, and viability decreased over time. Seedling emergence decreased when depth of burial increased. Seedlings emerged nonuniformly throughout the year and demonstrated typical winter annual characteristics.



Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Tang ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Jianping Zhang ◽  
Yongliang Lu

Triquetrous murdannia is an annual weed commonly found in rice fields in China. Laboratory and screenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the effect of light, temperature, osmotic and salt stress, seed burial depth, amount of rice residue, and depth of flooding on seed germination and seedling emergence of triquetrous murdannia and to evaluate the response of this weed to commonly available POST herbicides in China. Germination was greater than 93% under a wide day/night temperature range of 20/10 to 30/20 C in the light/dark regime. The time to onset of germination decreased as temperature increased. Germination was slightly stimulated when seeds were placed in light/dark conditions compared with seeds placed in the dark. The osmotic potential and NaCl concentration required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination were −0.5 MPa and 122 mM, respectively. The highest germination (68%) was observed from seeds sown on the soil surface, but decreased with increasing burial depth. Only 7% of seedlings emerged from a depth of 4 cm, and no seedlings emerged from seeds buried deeper than 6 cm. Seedling emergence decreased from 93 to 35% with increasing quantity of rice residue (1 to 6 103kg ha−1) applied on the soil surface. Seedling emergence was reduced by 40, 48, 64, and 70% at flooding depths of 1, 2, 4, and 6 cm, respectively, for the seeds sown on the soil surface. Fluroxypyr and MCPA herbicides provided 100% control of triquetrous murdannia at the 2- to 6-leaf stages; however, to achieve 100% control with bispyribac-sodium, MCPA+bentazone or MCPA+fluroxypyr, herbicides had to be applied by the 4-leaf stage. The results of this study could help in developing more sustainable and effective integrated weed management strategies for the control of triquetrous murdannia in rice fields in China.



2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Soltani ◽  
A. Soltani ◽  
S. Galeshi ◽  
F. Ghaderi-Far ◽  
E. Zeinali

Studies were conducted to estimate parameters and relationships associated with sub-processes in soil seed banks of oilseed rape in Gorgan, Iran. After one month of burial, seed viability decreased to 39%, with a slope of 2.03% per day, and subsequently decreased with a lower slope of 0.01 until 365 days following burial in the soil. Germinability remained at its highest value in autumn and winter and decreased from spring to the last month of summer. Non-dormant seeds of volunteer oilseed rape did not germinate at temperatures lower than 3.8 ºC and a water potential of -1.4 MPa ºd. The hydrothermal values were 36.2 and 42.9 MPa ºd for sub- and supra-optimal temperatures, respectively. Quantification of seed emergence as influenced by burial depth was performed satisfactorily (R² = 0.98 and RMSE = 5.03). The parameters and relationships estimated here can be used for modelling soil seed bank dynamics or establishing a new model for the environment.



Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouhui Wei ◽  
Chaoxian Zhang ◽  
Xiangju Li ◽  
Hailan Cui ◽  
Hongjuan Huang ◽  
...  

Buffalobur is a noxious and invasive weed species native to North America. The influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of buffalobur were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. The germination of buffalobur seeds occurred at temperatures ranging from 12.5 to 45 C, with optimum germination attained between 25 and 35 C. Buffalobur seeds germinated equally well under both a 14-h photoperiod and continuous darkness; however, prolonged light exposure (≥ 16 h) significantly inhibited the seed germination. Buffalobur seed is rather tolerant to low water potential and high salt stress, as germination was 28 and 52% at osmotic potentials of −1.1 MPa and salinity level of 160 mM, respectively. Medium pH has no significant effect on seed germination; germination was greater than 95% over a broad pH range from 3 to 10. Seedling emergence was higher (85%) for seeds buried at a soil depth of 2 cm than for those placed on the soil surface (32%), but no seedlings emerged when burial depth reached 8 cm. Knowledge of germination biology of buffalobur obtained in this study will be useful in predicting the potential distribution area and developing effective management strategies for this species.



Botany ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 639-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Bhatt ◽  
Narayana R. Bhat ◽  
Flavio Lozano-Isla ◽  
David Gallacher ◽  
Andrea Santo ◽  
...  

Maintaining a viable seed bank throughout the germination season is considered very important for plant recruitment in desert environments, where environmental conditions are unpredictable. Seeds from fully matured Seidlitzia rosmarinus Bunge ex Boiss and Halothamnus iraqensis Botsch. were collected in December 2016, then April, June, and September 2017 from both soil-surface and aerial seed banks. Both of the species were selected mainly by their capacity to rehabilitate saline coastal sites. Germination was analyzed under two photoperiods (0 or 12 h light per day), with winged or dewinged perianths. Seidlitzia rosmarinus had a shorter seasonal range in comparison with H. iraqensis (6 and 9 months, respectively), and the presence of a winged perianth reduced the germination rate of both species. A permanent winged perianth significantly inhibited the germination rate in both species. In the absence of perianth, the germination registered in December 2016 was mostly 100%, but declined to around 20% in September 2017. Seeds are thus more likely to germinate after scarification from wind mobilization, and do not require burial. Our results show that seeds of both the aerial and soil banks are transitory, and viable only during the winter months. Taken together, the combination of aerial and soil seed banks has greatly facilitated germination asynchrony in their environmentally unpredictable desert habitat.



Weed Science ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (02) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Mickelson ◽  
William E. Grey

Field experiments were established in fall 1999 and 2000 near Huntley, MT, to determine the effects of soil water content on wild oat seed mortality and seedling emergence. Four supplemental irrigation treatments were implemented from June through September to establish plots with varying soil water content. Wild oat seed mortality during the summer increased linearly as soil water content increased. For seed banks established in 1999 (1999SB), seed mortality increased, on average, from 36 to 55% in 2000, and 15 to 55% in 2001 as soil water content increased from 6 to 24%. For seed banks established in 2000 (2000SB), seed mortality increased, on average, from 38 to 88% in 2001 and 53 to 79% in 2002 as soil water content increased from 6 to 24%. Increasing soil water content likely increased the activity of microorganisms that cause mortality in wild oat seeds. The increasing seed mortality rates (due to increasing soil water content) resulted in greater annual declines of wild oat seed banks and 2-yr cumulative decline rates. Total season emergence percentage was not affected by irrigation treatment. Results show that weed seed bank decline is more rapid in moist than in dry soils and suggest that management practices that increase or conserve soil moisture will also increase the rate of wild oat seed bank decline.



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