Seasonal changes in seed dormancy of Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium

The seed dormancy cycle in Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium was studied in relation to seasonal temperature. Seed lots of both species were buried in pots outdoors in a randomised complete block design with four replicates from November 2004 to November 2006. At regular intervals, samples of the seeds were randomly exhumed and tested for germination in incubators at three temperatures and light/darkness regimes. For both species, low winter temperature weakened dormancy and high temperature strengthened it. Dormancy induction mainly occurred from August to October in both species after experiencing warm temperatures. An exception from the general pattern of seed dormancy was however observed; seed germination percentages were temporarily reduced in early spring, followed by a peak in germination, before the main period of strong dormancy in S. nigrum . The same phenomenon was observed in S. physalifolium during June in the first year. This short-lived dormancy induction might explain the late emergence of the species. Seed dormancy enables the species to maximise its chance of survival by regulating germination timing to favourable conditions. Therefore, information on the dormancy cycle can be used to predict seedling emergence and optimise weed control operations.