Performance of potential non-crop or wild species under OECD 208 testing guideline study conditions for terrestrial non-target plants

The inclusion of 52 potential non-crop or wild species in new OECD guidelines for terrestrial non-target plant (TNTP) testing led to a ring test conducted by four laboratories experienced in regulatory testing. Species selected had shown potential to meet validity criteria of emergence for TNTP studies in a previous evaluation of the 52 species. OECD 208 guideline conditions were applied, with and without seed pretreatments recommended to enhance germination. These species were Abutilon theophrasti (L.) Medic., Avena fatua L., Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Adans., Galium aparine L., Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. and Veronica persica Poir. Only I. hederacea met the validity criterion of 70% emergence in all laboratories and showed a low variability in biomass. Of the other species, none led to 70% emergence in all four laboratories. The recommended pretreatments did not have a major impact on emergence. Biomass was also investigated with A. theophrasti, A. fatua, Centaurea cyanus L., I. hederacea and Rumex crispus L. Variability of biomass, a key parameter in TNTP regulatory studies, exceeded normal biomass variability of crop species used for TNTP studies. The addition of a thin layer of quartz sand to the soil surface resulted in improved emergence of C. cyanus, G. aparine and V. persica; however, such a procedure, while routine in screening studies to improve germination, is a deviation from the TNTP guidelines. These initial studies indicate that some species could meet the emergence criteria for TNTP testing. However, there is a need for further studies on seed source, seed quality and conditions for uniform emergence before their use in routine regulatory testing.     

A comparison of crop and non-crop plants as sensitive indicator species for regulatory testing

The effectiveness of regulatory non-target plant testing using crop species to predict the phytotoxicicity of herbicides to non-crop species was evaluated for eleven herbicides. These herbicides were representative of eight chemical classes and six modes of action. Data for non-crop plants from pre-emergence and post-emergence efficacy screening studies were compared with those for the most sensitive crop species defined by regulatory tests conducted to meet US EPA requirements. Testing under pre-emergence conditions for ten compounds indicated that for five of the compounds (K-815910, trifluralin, pyridyloxy A, pyridyloxy B and cyanazine), the most sensitive crop species was more sensitive than all the non-crop species evaluated. For metsulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, hexazinone and bromacil, only one of the non-crop species evaluated was more sensitive than the most sensitive crop species from regulatory tests. Data for the tenth compound, chloroacetamide, showed that four of 32 non-crop species tested in efficacy screens had at least one rate at which greater visual effects were observed than were observed for the most sensitive crop response in a regulatory test. The results of post-emergence exposure comparisons for five of the compounds (pyridyloxy A, cloransulam-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, cyanazine and hexazinone) indicated that the most sensitive crop species were more sensitive than all the non-crop species evaluated. Data for pyridyloxy B, metsulfuron-methyl and bromacil indicated that only one of the non-crop species evaluated was more sensitive than the most sensitive crop species. For trifluralin, three of the eight non-crop species were more sensitive than the most sensitive crop species. Data for K-815910 indicated that four of the fourteen non-crop species tested were marginally more sensitive than the most sensitive crop, but were within the same range of sensitivity. These results indicate that the current regulatory test batteries and methods using crop species effectively provide suitable sensitive indicator plants for the eleven diverse herbicides evaluated. This comparison indicates that crop species sensitivity to test substances is likely to be representative of non-crop herbaceous species response, regardless of chemical class, mode of action and magnitude or route of exposure.     

Contaminant seeds in imported crop seed lots: a non‐negligible human‐mediated pathway for introduction of plant species to islands

Contaminant seeds in crop seed lots constitute a pathway for plant species introduction into new areas, and these non‐native weeds may be an environmental problem if they become invasive. Seed certification is a process that regulates and guarantees the quality of seed lots, including their purity. In this study, we assessed weed contamination in certified and non‐certified seed lots (n = 116) from 12 crop species commonly cultivated in the Balearic Islands. Contaminant seeds were separated using sieves, and then manually under a stereomicroscope, before they were germinated to confirm taxonomic identity. Weight, number and diversity of the contaminant seeds per kilogram of seed lot, number released per hectare according to sowing rate, and taxonomic identity and biogeographical origin of contaminant species were recorded. Although certification reduced the number of contaminant seeds in the seed lots, it did not entirely eliminate contaminants, because we found up to 2000 contaminant seeds kg^?1 of certified ryegrass and sulla. Overall, contaminant seeds represented 118 taxa; of which, 82 were identified to species level, 70% of species were native, 19% were cultivated, and 11% were non‐native. Two of the identified taxa were first records for the Balearic Islands. In conclusion, contaminant seeds in imported crop seed lots represent a non‐negligible pathway for plant species introduction.     

古尔班通古特沙漠不同类型生物结皮对草本植物多样性影响

选择古尔班通古特沙漠的北部(一号点)、中部(二号点)、南部(三号点)3个不同样点的裸沙和藻结皮、地衣结皮与苔藓结皮3种生物结皮类型,对比研究了草本植物多样性的差异性及其主要环境影响因素.结果表明:(1)不同生物结皮类型的土壤理化性质有明显差异,土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾含量以及黏粒、粉粒和细沙的含量随生物结皮演替显著...     

13种野生观赏植物种子特性的研究

本文利用不同催芽技术对分布在内蒙古西部干旱区 1 3种野生观赏植物 (其中 1 1种为珍稀濒危植物 )种子 (或果实 )的形态特征和萌发特性进行了观察和试验研究。结果表明 :红花海绵豆 ( Spongiocarpella grubovii( Ulzij.) Yakovl.)、蒙新苓菊 ( Jurinea mongolica Max-im.)、术叶菊 ( Synotis atractylidifolia( Ling) C. Jeffrey et Y. L . Chen)、西藏点地梅 ( An-drosace mariae Kanitz var. tibetica ( Maxim.) Hand.- Mazz.)、贺兰山女娄菜 ( Melandriumalaschanicum ( Maxim.) Y.Z.Zhao)、贺兰山南芥 ( Arabis alaschanica Maxim.)、针枝芸香( H aplophyllum tragacanthoides Diels)、四合木 ( Tetraena mongolica Maxim.) 8种植物的籽实无需任何特殊处理 ,均可顺利萌发 ,且除蒙新苓菊、术叶菊外 ,其余萌发率均在 60 %以上 ;其它 5种植物的萌发率较低 ,斑子麻黄 ( Ephedra rhytidosperma Pachom.)、内蒙古西风芹 ( Seseliintramongolicum Y. C. Ma)、贺兰山岩黄芪 ( H edysarum petrovii Yakovl.)的种子经砂纸打磨处理后 ,萌发率可提高 7～ 8倍。但短尾铁线莲 ( Clematis brevicaudata DC)、大苞点地梅 ( An-drosace gmelinii L .)即使经低温、酸蚀等处理 ,其发芽率仍然很低 ,说明它们对环境条件要     

准噶尔盆地南部农区野生饲用植物资源研究

为了解准噶尔盆地南部农区野生饲用植物资源,调查研究了该区域野生饲用植物的科属组成及其生活型和生态型特点,并对其适口性和营养价值进行了分析。结果表明：该区共有野生饲用植物34科145属214种,优势科有禾本科(38属71种)、藜科(18属22种)、菊科(15属21种)、豆科(14属19种)、苋科(8属11种)、十字花科(8属10种);生活型植物以草本植物(1～2年生124种,多年生62种)为主,占86.92%,木本植物有28种,占13.08%;生态型植物以中生为主(183种)。依据适口性可将该区野生饲用植物划分为优、良、中、低4个等级,其中优等95种、良等77种、中等36种、低等6种。营养成分丰富且适口性较好的饲用植物主要集中在禾本科(21种)、豆科(17种)和藜科(13种)。     

喜盐鸢尾种子休眠与萌发特性初步研究

喜盐鸢尾(Iris halophila）是一种干旱地区野生观赏花卉,种子萌发困难,限制了该种在园林绿化中的应用,也为育种工作带来难度。从吸水性和萌发性两个方面对喜盐鸢尾种子休眠原因和打破休眠的方法进行了探索。研究表明,在25/10 ℃（高温/低温）条件下,喜盐鸢尾种子萌发率最高,达到44.33%;胚乳中的萌发抑制物质是限制喜盐鸢尾种子萌发的主要原因;种皮可限制胚乳萌发抑制物质的释放。砂纸摩擦、切除部分胚乳和赤霉素(GA3)处理都能提高种子的萌发率。综合考虑经济费用和可操作性等因素,砂纸摩擦后蒸馏水浸种处理是打破喜盐鸢尾种子萌发行之有效的方法。     

Effects of drought on weed emergence and growth vary with the seed burial depth and presence of a cover crop

In conservation agriculture, weed seed germination could decrease with the presence of a cover crop, surface weed seed location and temporal drought in summer just after seed shedding. This study simultaneously examined the effects of a cover crop, burial depth (seed location) and hydric stress on weed emergence and early growth. It was hypothesized that drought would reduce weed emergence and the initial growth of weed seeds and that this effect would be greater when the seeds were on the soil surface and in the presence of a cover crop. Four annual weed species were chosen that are frequently found (Anisantha sterilis, Vulpia myuros, Sonchus asper, Veronica persica) and not frequently found (Alopecurus myosuroides, Poa annua, Cyanus segetum, Capsella bursa‐pastoris) in fields that implement conservation agriculture. The unburied seeds had 26% lower emergence, on average, than the buried seeds (significant for six of the eight species), hydric stress reduced emergence by 20% (for seven of the eight species) and the presence of a cover crop reduced the level of emergence by 17% (for all species). The unburied seeds with hydric stress were emerging under the “most stressful” set of factors, with a 45% decrease in emergence, compared with the seeds emerging under the “least stressful” set of factors (buried seeds without hydric stress). All the weed growth measurements (height, dry matter content and number of leaves) decreased with the presence of a cover crop. The species that are found frequently in the fields that implement conservation agriculture, compared with the species that are not frequently found in conservation agriculture fields, had higher rates of germination and a higher tolerance of hydric stress when their seeds were unburied.     

Germination characteristics of Amaranthus quitensis as affected by seed production date and duration of burial

Thermal requirements for the germination of Amaranthus quitensis, a common annual weed in Argentina, were studied. In addition, temporal changes in dormancy from seeds produced at different times during the growing season were examined. For this second objective, thermal and light requirements for germination were tested in seeds buried at different depths, with or without crop residues. Base and optimum temperatures for germination rates were 12.8°C and 37°C respectively. At dispersal time, maximum percentage germination was 60–70% and this was generally recorded at 35°C/25°C in a 14-h photoperiod. Seed germination tended to increase in later seed collection dates. Seeds of A. quitensis showed seasonal changes in germinability in the soil. In winter, germination of retrieved seeds increased to over 90% until summer, after which there was a decrease until the following winter when germination was close to 40%. There were no differences in germinability between burial depths and crop residue levels. Germination requirements for alternating temperatures and light tended to disappear after burial. Initial viability was 99% and declined slightly during burial. Soil temperature seems to play a crucial role not only by regulating seasonal changes in dormancy, but also by defining the percentage and the germination rate in non-dormant seeds.     

Production,size, and germination of broad‐leaved dock seeds collected from mother plants grown under different nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium supplies

Rumex obtusifolius is believed to be a nitrophilous weedy species that spreads mainly by seed. However, the effects of nutrient availability on seed production never have been investigated. In this study, how the amount of seed production per plant, the chemical composition of the seeds, and their size and germination are affected by the supply of N, P, and K was investigated. A pot fertilizer experiment with 10 treatments (combinations of 0, 150 [N1], and 300 [N2] kg N ha^?1, 0, 40 [P1], and 80 [P2] kg P ha^?1, and 0 and 100 [K] kg K ha^?1 applied twice per vegetation season) was carried out in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2008 and 2009. The seeds from plants that were cultivated since the spring were collected each August. The germination of the seeds was determined in long‐daylight conditions at a stable temperature of 20°C. The number of seeds per plant ranged from 0 in the P1 and P2 treatments and <200 in the control and K treatments to almost 9000 in the N2P2K treatment. The number of seeds per plant was positively correlated with the number of stems per plant and the number of seeds per stem. The relationship between the amount of seeds per plant and the individual seed weight was positive. The concentration of N, P, and K in the seeds was affected by the treatments. The weight of 1000 seeds ranged from 1.3 to 1.7 g. The seed length ranged from 2.11 to 2.34 mm and the seed width varied from 1.26 to 1.42 mm. With the exception of the control (with 94% germination), the amount of seed germination was >98% in all the other treatments in 2008. In 2009, the amount of seed germination was >95% in all the treatments, except N1 and N2, where 93% and 89% germination, respectively, was recorded. The germination rate was positively related to the P concentration in the seeds. The amount of time that was necessary for 50% seed germination ranged from 1.53 to 2.89 days and was not related to the N concentration in the seeds, but it was negatively related to the P and K concentrations. A balanced N, P, and K supply to the mother plant strongly affected the number of produced seeds and their chemical composition and germination ability.     

CHEMICAL INHIBITION OF CROP GERMINATION BY WEED SEEDS AND THE NATURE OF INHIBITION BY ABUTILON THEOPHRASTI

Summary. Aqueous extracts of the ground seeds of thirteen weed species were assayed for their ability to inhibit the germination on filler paper of eight crop species. All of the extracts delayed germination of at least some of the crop species. Germination of some crop species was delayed when the crop seeds were surrounded by weed seeds on filter paper, The seeds of Abutilon theophrasti were inhibitory to tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) germinated in sterile and non-sterile soil in the laboratory. The inhibition of germination was apparent under conditions which excluded light, water and minerals as factors in the competition. Chemical studies indicated that the inhibition by Abutilon seeds was due to free amino acids emanating from the seeds.
Inhibition chimique de la germination de plantes cultivées par des semences de mauvaises herbes et nature de l'inhibition par Abutilon theophrasti     

新疆美洲斑潜蝇寄主种类及适合度的调查

通过乌鲁木齐、昌吉等地调查，发现新疆美洲斑潜蝇的寄主植物计有17科55种，其中蔬菜28种(变种)、大田作物8种，花卉和草坪植物13种、野生植物6种。以豆科、葫芦科植物受害最重。应用欧氏距离法的系统聚类分析，研究了美洲斑潜蝇对14种常见寄主植物的适合度；将其划分为5个类型，即最优适宜寄主、良好适宜寄主、适宜寄主、稍次适宜寄主和非适宜寄主。为害虫的防治决策提供了科学依据。     

Seeds in a rainforest soil and their relation to shifting cultivation in the Ivory Coast

In the Taï region of the Ivory Coast, mature forest is felled and burned and a crop of rice is grown; forest is then allowed to regenerate for 20 or more years before being cropped again. The top 10 cm of soil beneath a 21-year-old forest prior to felling contained 2000 viable seeds m^?2 of mainly woody species of previous successional stages no longer represented in the vegetation. Seedling emergence was greater in full sunlight than under leaf canopy, especially for herbaceous species of open habitats. Burning destroyed almost half of the seeds, but overall germination of those that survived was advanced by about 2 weeks. Germination of some common pioneer species was enhanced by the fire. Provided that burning took place and the rice was planted immediately, vegetation arising from the seed bank did not present a problem. The density never exceeded 70 seedlings m^?2 and little or no weeding was required. Species present at densities greater than 1 seedling 10 m^?2 were all recorded in the seed bank.     

Germination response of Orobanche seeds subjected to conditioning temperature, water potential and growth regulator treatments

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are parasitic weeds that cause significant losses of crop yield. Experiments were conducted to investigate the seed response to the artificial germination stimulant GR₂₄ in three species of Orobanche subjected to preconditioning under various temperatures, water potentials and with plant growth regulators. The highest germination percentages were observed in Orobanche ramosa, Orobanche aegyptiaca and Orobanche minor seeds conditioned at 18°C for 7 days followed by germination stimulation at 18°C. With the increase of the conditioning period (7, 14, 21 and 28 days), the germination percentage of O. ramosa and O. aegyptiaca progressively decreased. When conditioned at −2 MPa, the germination percentage was lower than at 0 and −1 MPa, especially at 13 and 28°C. Orobanche minor seeds could retain relatively high germination if conditioned at 18, 23 or 28°C, even after significantly extended conditioning periods (up to 84 days). GA₃ (30–100 mg L⁻¹), norflurazon and fluridone (10–100 mg L⁻¹), and brassinolide (0.5–1.0 mg L⁻¹) increased seed germination, while 0.01 mg L⁻¹ uniconazole significantly reduced germination rates of all three Orobanche spp. The promotional effects of GA₃ and norflurazon and the inhibitory effect of uniconazole were evident, even when they were treated for 3 days. Germination of Orobanche seeds was much lower when the unconditioned seeds were directly exposed to GR₂₄ at 10⁻⁶ m . This early GR₂₄-induced inhibition was however alleviated or even eliminated by the inclusion of GA₃ or norflurazon (10–50 mg L⁻¹) in the conditioning medium. On the contrary, the inclusion of uniconazole increased the inhibitory effect of GR₂₄, particularly in the case of O. ramosa.     

Impacts of snow on seed germination are independent of seed traits and plant ecological characteristics in a temperate desert of Central Asia

Seed germination profoundly impacts plant community composition within the plant life cycle. Snow is an important source of water for seed germination in the temperate deserts of Central Asia. Understanding how seed germination responds to variations in snow cover in relation to seed traits and plant ecological characteristics can help predict plant community sustainability and stability in Central Asia under a scenario climate change. This study investigated the seed germination of 35 plant species common to the Gurbantunggut Desert in Central Asia under the three snow treatments: (1) snow addition; (2) ambient snow; and (3) snow removal. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to assess interactions among the impacts of snow treatments, seed traits and plant ecological characteristics on seed germination. Phylogenetic generalized least-squares (PGLS) model was used to test the relationships between seed traits and seed germination. The results demonstrated that snow variations had no significant impacts on seed germination overall. Seed germination under the snow addition treatment was similar with that under the ambient snow treatment, irrespective of seed traits and plant ecological characteristics. Snow removal only had negative impacts on seed germination for certain groups of seed traits and plant ecological characteristics. Seed mass positively affected seed germination, showing a linear increase of arcsin square root-transformed seed germination with log-transformed seed mass. Seed shape also profoundly impacted seed germination, with a higher germination percentage for elongated and flat seeds. Seed germination differed under different plant life forms, with semi-shrub species showing a significantly higher germination percentage. Most importantly, although snow treatments, seed traits and plant ecological characteristics had no interactive effects on seed germination overall, some negative impacts from the snow removal treatment were detected when seeds were categorized on the basis of seed mass and shape. This result suggests that variations of snow cover may change plant community composition in this temperate desert due to their impacts on seed germination.     

Investigation of wheat as a trap crop for control of Orobanche minor

Orobanche minor is a parasitic weed that attaches to the roots of red clover (Trifolium pratense) and a number of other broad‐leaved plant species in the Pacific Northwest USA. Orobanche minor seed must be stimulated by host plant exudates for germination and attachment to occur. However, plant species called false‐hosts can stimulate parasitic seed germination without attachment. These species could be utilized as trap crops to reduce the amount of parasitic seed in infested soil. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), was found to be a false‐host of O. minor; therefore, growth chamber, glasshouse and field soil experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of six soft white winter wheats (T. aestivum), one durum wheat (Triticum turgidum), and one triticale (Triticale hexaploide) on O. minor germination. In growth chamber experiments, wheat and triticale induced 20–70% of O. minor seeds to germinate. In glasshouse studies, O. minor attachment was minimal on red clover plants grown in pots previously planted to wheat or triticale. In pots that did not receive a false‐host treatment, red clover plants averaged 4.2 O. minor attachments per plant. Red clover plants also had fewer O. minor attachments when grown in field soil taken from the plots where wheat or triticale were grown compared with plants grown in soil where no wheat or triticale were previously grown. Our results demonstrate that wheat may have the potential to be effectively integrated into an O. minor management system.     

草地螟选择大画眉草而非藜产卵的证据及原因

为了阐明草地螟对产卵寄主的选择性,为改善其测报、防治技术提供科学依据,笔者于2008年8月在河北康保对草地螟的产卵寄主植物进行了系统的调查。主要结果为:在所调查的9科23种植物中,查到有草地螟产卵的有7科13种。成虫对禾本科的大画眉草[Eragrostis cilianensis(All.)Link ex Vignolo-Lutati]具有显著的偏好。大画眉草的单株着卵量、有卵株率、卵密度及相对着卵量均显著高于藜(Chenopodium album Linnaeus)等其他产卵寄主的对应值,并比藜上的对应值多10倍到100倍以上。对此次草地螟成虫主要选择大画眉草产卵的可能原因进行了探讨分析。     

黄岩农作物种子调入检疫现状及对策建议

本文简述了黄岩农作物种子调入检疫概况.分析了种子经营企业法律意识薄弱、无证调运现象仍有发生、种子标签不规范、新入侵有害生物发现难、鉴定不及时和对承运种子的物流和快递公司缺乏相应监管条款等问题.提出了“一企一宣传”、执法检查常态化、种子标签标注规范化、新入侵有害生物发现鉴定科技化和对物流快递企业管理法制化等建议.这对种子...     

THE EFFECT OF COMPETITION FROM CEREAL CROPS ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF AVENA FATUA L. IN A NATURALLY-INFESTED FIELD

Summary. The effect of winter wheat, winter rye, winter barley, spring barley, and fallow cultivated as for a winter cereal, on germination and growth of wild oats ( A. fatua ) was investigated on a naturally-infested field. Treatments were continued for 2 years on the same plots and in the third year all plots were cropped with spring barley. Wild oats were not allowed to shed seeds.
A. fatua was controlled by a dense crop of an autumn-sown cereal. The crop genus was unimportant provided it grew well on the site; its effectiveness depended on its density when the wild oats germinated in spring. Winter wheat and winter rye were equally effective. Even in a light crop of barley, wild oats grew much less vigorously than on the fallow plots. Beyond a certain crop density dependent on soil fertility, further increase in crop did not decrease the size of wild oats. The heaviest crop did not completely suppress the wild oats.
The crop affected the wild oats mainly by decreasing growth of the seedlings, but under winter wheat and winter rye some wild oat seeds may have remained dormant, germinating in the spring barley in the third year, perhaps because the crops decreased the soil moisture content. Nitrogenous fertilizer increased the weight of both crops and wild oats. Barley was more severely affected by soil acidity than wild oats and on acid areas of barley plots the wild oats were larger than where the pH was higher. In wheat and rye which were scarcely affected by soil acidity the size of the wild oat plants was unaffected by soil pH.
L'effet du competition des céréales sur la germination et le développement d' Avena fatua dans un champ naturellement infesté .     

Seed viability determination in parasitic broomrapes (Orobanche and Phelipanche) using fluorescein diacetate staining

Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) was investigated as a potential viability stain for seeds of holoparasitic broomrapes Orobanche and Phelipanche (Orobanchaceae), using four weedy and two non-weedy taxa. FDA viabilities were compared with the currently used 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test, and in vitro germination induced by the strigolactone analogue GR-24. Viable FDA-stained seeds were characterised by bright yellow–green fluorescence under 450–490 nm blue light. These viable seeds could be discriminated from non-viable seeds, in which low levels of fluorescence, similar to non-stained control seeds were observed. FDA viabilities were not significantly different from those obtained using the TTC stain; however, viability values for both stains were consistently higher than levels of artificially induced germination. Positive TTC-staining showed continuous variation that was difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, the TTC test does not involve grinding seeds, and therefore probably remains a practical alternative to FDA for screening soil samples contaminated with Orobanche and Phelipanche seeds, which indicates different applications for the two viability tests. Interestingly, the strigolactone analogue GR-24 only induced germination in O. crenata , P. ramosa and O. minor , suggesting a high specificity towards this germination inducer among the species investigated. We suggest that FDA-staining provides a potential alternative to the currently used TTC test for seed viability assays for Orobanche and Phelipanche , and other parasitic weeds which are an obstacle to crop cultivation.