Effect of environmental conditions on Alopecurus myosuroides germination. II. Effect of moisture conditions and storage length

Summary More effective control of Alopecurus myosuroides with a minimum amount of herbicide may be achievable by using models describing the impact of cropping system effects on the weed's demography. In order to develop the submodel relating the weed seedbank to the emerged seedlings, a series of laboratory experiments was set up to analyse and quangify the effects on A. myosuroides germination of length of seed storage in dry conditions, soil water potential and dryness during imbibition. The base soil water potential for germination was estimated at −1.5 MPa. A four-parameter non-linear equation depending on accumulated day–degrees was fitted to the observed germination data, resulting in the estimation of parameters illustrating germination proportion and rate. Germination proportion and rate increased with seed storage length, and were increased by short and decreased by long dry periods occurring after imbibition. These results showed that, in contrast to crop species, A. myosuroides germination cannot be expressed simply as a function of hydrothermal time, but also requires the determination of the proportion of non-dormant seeds as a function of seed age and environmental conditions.     

Factors affecting seed germination and emergence of Gomphrena perennis

Controlled growth chamber experiments were conducted to determine factors affecting seed germination and emergence of the troublesome weed Gomphrena perennis. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of temperature, light, moist chilling, osmotic potential, dry storage and depth of seed burial on G. perennis germination and emergence. The optimum temperature for germination was around 15–20°C. Seeds showed germination rates above 90% under 20/10 and 25/15°C temperature regimes. The minimum exposure to light needed to stimulate germination was 1 min. However, the light requirement was reduced after a long storage period. Furthermore, germination was high (>90%) in all moist‐chilling treatments tested. Germination was highly sensitive to increasing osmotic stress. The highest germination percentage (94%) was achieved at 0 MPa, and decreasing osmotic potential from 0 to ?0.3 MPa reduced germination to 11%. The highest seedling emergence occurred for seeds placed from 0 to 1 cm deep, and no seedlings emerged from a 5‐cm burial depth. Gomphrena perennis has a suitable environment in a no‐till soybean field, where seeds remaining on the surface have the required temperature, light and depth needed for germination.     

The influence of temperature on germination of gorse (Ulex europaeus L.)

The germination of U. europaeus seed was investigated at temperatures between 4 and 40°C on a thermal gradient bar. At constant temperature the germination rate increased linearly with temperature from a minimum near 0°C to an optimum at 18°C and then decreased to a maximum at 26°C. At still higher temperatures seeds became imbibed but only germinated when transferred to cooler conditions. Above 35°C viability was lost. The rate of imbibition prior to germination increased with temperature over the whole range. Germination was not increased either by a light treatment or by potassium nitrate. Germination was not stimulated by a wide range of alternating temperature regimes and at mean temperatures below the optimum the germination rate could be adequately predicted from a formula based on performance at constant temperature. At higher temperatures the observed rates became progressively slower than predicted. Seeds from three different sources were tested, all showing similar relationships between germination rate and temperature but differing in the proportion of hard seed. The proportion was least with seed extracted from the soil, intermediate with a collection from the surface and greatest from pods. The findings are discussed in relation to germination in the field following clearing of gorse thicket.     

精口恶唑禾草灵抗性及敏感菵草种群萌发条件的比较

为了比较对精口恶唑禾草灵抗性及敏感菵草种群在萌发特性上的差异,采用培养皿法研究了温度、光照、pH值、水势、盐胁迫对其萌发的影响。结果表明,pH值为4-10条件下,2个种群的萌发率无显著性差异;全光照条件下,抗性菵草的萌发率显著低于敏感菵草;10℃条件下,抗性菵草的萌发率显著低于敏感菵草;水势胁迫和盐分胁迫对抗性菵草萌发的影响大于敏感菵草,当水势为-0.5 MPa时,抗性菵草无萌发,敏感菵草萌发率为41.9%;当NaC l溶液浓度为160 mmol/L时,抗性菵草无萌发,敏感菵草的萌发率为51.7%。     

不同环境因素对猪殃殃种子萌发及出苗的影响

为探讨猪殃殃种子萌发的适宜环境条件,通过室内萌发试验研究了温度、光照、pH、水势、盐分对猪殃殃种子萌发以及埋土深度对其出苗的影响。结果表明,猪殃殃种子萌发的适宜环境条件为温度10~20℃、光暗12h交替培养以及pH 4~10,萌发率可达到50%以上。猪殃殃种子对水势比较敏感,萌发率随着水势的降低而降低,当水势为0时,萌发率为50.50%,水势降低至-0.6 MPa时,仅有个别种子萌发,萌发率为3.50%,当水势为-0.7 MPa时,种子萌发完全受到抑制;猪殃殃种子对盐分胁迫有一定忍耐力,当NaCl浓度为0.16mol/L时,仍有少数种子萌发,萌发率为16.50%;适于猪殃殃种子出苗的埋土深度是1~2cm,出苗率达到49.50%。研究结果为猪殃殃的出苗调控和综合治理提供了依据。     

On light-sensitivity in germinating uredospores of wheat brown rust

Experiments consisted of three phases: spore production, spore storage and spore germination. Throughout the experiments temperature was near-optimal. In each phase various light and humidity treatments were given. The time at which a spore germinated was considered to be a stochastic variable. 3,000 lux inhibits germ tube elongation measurably; 7,600 lux inhibits germination measurably. Spores produced in darkness are more sensitive to light than spores produced in light, independent of the age of the pustules. Hydration of spores during storage increases light-sensitivity during germination. Samples of spores formed in darkness at low humidity are considered to consist of three sub-populations: a light-insensitive one presumably having profited from the foregoing light period, a light-sensitive sub-population and a group of spores which is inert or dead. The light-inhibited spores germinate rapidly after being placed in darkness with a germination rate little affected by the duration of light exposure. After four hours of light-exposure a gradually increasing proportion of the light-inhibited spores is killed, which means that the reversibility of the light-inhibition is limited.     

The influence of temperature and water potential on the germination of seven different dry-stored seed lots of Stellaria media

Experiments were made on seven dry-stored seed lots of Steliaria media (L.) Vill to assess the effect of water potential and temperature on germination. These seed lots were from different sources and their age ranged from freshly harvested to 5 years in dry storage. Germination was recorded at regular intervals at five constant temperatures (5-25°C) in all combinations with eight water potential regimes (from 0 to -1.4 MPa). The results showed that seed lot had a significant effect on the percentage, rate and spread of germination Differences in germination behaviour in the seed lots appeared to be related to the durations of dry storage. Freshly harvested seed exhibited signs of dormancy, with the lowest percentage and longest mean germination time. Seed lots that had been in dry storage for more than 1 year took increasingly longer to germinate, particularly under less favourable conditions. In contrast, germination percentages were highest in the 3-year-old seed. The constant temperature and water potential achieving maximum germination was independent of seed lot as was the water potential achieving the highest germination rates. However, the temperature achieving the highest germination rate was dependent on seed lot. The spread in germination time was largest for the freshly harvested and oldest seed samples. Rates of germination against temperature over the range of water potentials studied were complex.     

温周期、贮藏时间和盐分对短毛柽柳种子萌发的影响

短毛柽柳(Tamarix karelinii)是分布于盐渍化沙地和重盐碱地的灌木。为了阐明短毛柽柳种子的萌发特性,设置不同的温周期、储藏时间和盐分梯度,采用室内控制实验研究这些因子对种子萌发的影响。结果表明:1短毛柽柳种子在4个温周期中均具有高的萌发率,并且温周期温度越高,种子的萌发速率越快。2室温贮藏1个月显著提高种子的萌发速率,在贮藏6个月内,种子的最终萌发率都能达到100%。3≤0.8 mol·L~(-1)的Na Cl溶液对种子的最终萌发率无显著影响,而≥1.0 mol·L~(-1)的溶液则抑制种子的萌发,且随着浓度的增加,种子的最终萌发率呈下降趋势,直至为0。将1.0~4.0 mol·L~(-1)溶液中没有萌发的种子,转移至蒸馏水继续培养后,仍有71.67%~28.00%的种子恢复萌发率,表明种子具有较强的耐盐性。对短毛柽柳种子萌发特性的研究,为短毛柽柳的种苗培育提供基础资料。     

鹅观草种子萌发及出苗特性

在实验室和温室条件下研究不同温度、光照、水势、盐分对鹅观草种子萌发以及埋土深度对鹅观草出苗的影响。结果表明,鹅观草种子萌发的昼/夜温度范围为20℃/10℃~35℃/25℃,最适昼/夜温度为25℃/15℃;黑暗条件下,鹅观草种子萌发率较光照下略有提高,说明鹅观草萌发不需要光照;鹅观草种子对水势胁迫较敏感,水势从0下降至-0.8 MPa时,发芽率从93%直线下降至0;鹅观草种子对盐分胁迫具有一定耐受性,当NaCl浓度≤50 mmol/L时,种子均能保持80%以上的萌发率。50%萌发抑制率时的水势和NaCl浓度分别约为-0.4 MPa和100 mmol/L。埋土深度为0.5 cm时,鹅观草出苗率最高,埋土深度≥3 cm时出苗率显著下降。表明鹅观草种子萌发具有较强的环境适应性,通过耕作将其种子带入4 cm以下土层,可有效抑制鹅观草的危害。     

Light, temperature and burial depth effects on Rumex obtusifolius seed germination and emergence

Trials were carried out to investigate the effects of light and temperature on germination of Rumex obtusifolius L. After several months of storage, seeds gradually lost dormancy and became photosensitive. Thermal optima for germination were between 20 °C and 25 °C in light or in darkness. At lower temperatures there was a greater demand for light, so that the greatest differences in germination percentage (between low and high temperatures) were found within the 10–15 °C temperature range. The calculated thermal minima ( x -intercept method) in light and darkness were 8.3 °C and 6.1 °C respectively. Daily temperature fluctuation increased germination even after seed irradiation with far-red light, suggesting a lower demand for the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome. Seed burial inhibited germination in proportion to depth; however, germination inhibition was independent of seed phytochrome photo-equilibrium, which had been diversified by seed pretreatment with light. Seedlings did not emerge when seeds were buried >8 cm deep. Recovery of ungerminated seeds showed that excessive burial did not impede seedling emergence but rather prevented seed germination. However, this induction of dormancy was lost once germination processes were activated (24–48 h at 20 °C) that made germination irreversible. Temperature was also involved in inhibition, and low temperature (<15 °C) induced the least inhibition. This is discussed in terms of processes of respiration and fermentation in buried seeds.     

青海云杉种子萌发特性

以天祝县青海云杉天然种群种子为研究对象,通过对种子生活力测定,分析种子萌发对温度、光照、水分和盐分胁迫的响应,为引种提供参考数据。结果表明：① 种子的生活力为72%。② 在黑暗条件下,温度小于10 ℃种子不萌发,最适萌发温度25/15 ℃(72%);种子在24 h黑暗和24 h光照条件下的萌发率显著高于14 h光照/10 h黑暗。③ 当NaCl胁迫浓度为50 mmol·L^-1时,可促进种子萌发,当胁迫浓度大于50 mmol·L^-1时,抑制种子萌发;胁迫解除后,随着胁迫浓度的增加,恢复萌发率(RGR)先增加后减小,胁迫浓度为400 mmol·L^-1时,RGR达到最大值13%。④ 随着PEG-6000试剂胁迫渗透势的增加,种子萌发显著减少,在-0.9 MPa时,种子不能萌发;胁迫解除后,RGR先增加后减少,在-0.9 MPa时,达到最大值35%。     

Variation in seed dormancy and light sensitivity in Alopecurus myosuroides and Apera spica-venti

Variation in seed dormancy and light sensitivity was studied in Alopecurus myosuroides and Apera spica-venti . Seeds were collected from different populations, at different dates and from plants emerging in autumn or spring, and used in four experiments. In the first experiment, initial dormancy was investigated in light and darkness. In Expt 2, buried seeds were exhumed on 16 occasions, from September 1997 to March 2000, and germinated in light, in darkness and after a 5-s light exposure. In Expt 3, emergence was recorded for seeds sown in pots outdoors. In Expt 4, stratified seeds of A. myosuroides only were exposed to photon irradiance ranging from 0.1 to 25 600 μmol m⁻². Variation was high among seed collections, but both species showed winter annual dormancy patterns. Apera spica-venti germinated to high percentages in autumn but negligibly in spring. Alopecurus myosuroides germinated less in spring when tested in darkness and after a short light exposure and emerged poorly in spring, which reflected photo-desensitisation during cold stratification. We conclude that the peak of emergence in A. myosuroides , and to some extent in A. spica-venti , is largely regulated by exposure to light interacting with low-level dormancy. This offers valuable information regarding optimal timing of weed control measures.     

Germination behaviour in seeds of Diplotaxis erucoides and D. virgata

The seed germination behaviour of four populations each of Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC. and D. virgata (Cav.) DC, two weedy Brassicaceae species widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, was studied under controlled light, temperature and moisture conditions. Germination rates in D. virgata were generally higher at alternating (25/15^C) and low (15^C) temperatures, whereas in D. erucoides optimal germination rates were achieved at higher temperatures (25^C). No correlation between seed weight and germination was found in either species. In D. virgata, the geographic origin of the seed had an important effect on germination percentage. Great germination variability was found among the populations and even among seeds belonging to the same population. In this species, the application of gibberellic acid stimulated germination, especially in the populations with higher dormancy levels. Dormancy was found in mature D. virgata seeds but not in those of D. erucoides. In both species, germination percentages decreased after a certain period of storage at low temperatures. This period varied depending on the species and the population considered.     

影响丰花草种子萌发和幼苗生长的主要环境因子

运用培养皿滤纸法和盆栽法,分别研究温度、光照和水分条件对热带常见杂草丰花草种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:丰花草种子萌发温度范围广泛(5~40℃),随温度升高,丰花草幼苗的鲜质量和生长长度均呈现先升高后降低的趋势;恒温下30℃为其种子萌发的最适温度,其发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数均相对较高,而平均发芽时间最短;25℃时生长的幼苗最健壮,其芽长、根长和芽鲜质量、根鲜质量均显著高于其他温度时的对应值。而变温条件更有利于丰花草种子萌发,12 h D/12 h L、5℃/15℃时发芽率达55.63%,15℃/25℃时发芽率90%,25℃/35℃时的种子萌发率、幼苗长度、幼苗鲜质量均最大。光照不是影响丰花草种子萌发的关键因子,但光照可能有利于促进丰花草幼苗生物量向根部分配,光暗交替(12 h D/12 h L)条件下丰花草幼苗生长情况相对最好(长度根冠比为1.05∶1;鲜质量根冠比为0.51∶1)。水分是决定丰花草种子能否萌发的关键因素,25℃、12 h D/12 h L条件下,在土壤最大持水量60%时丰花草种子萌发和幼苗生长状况均最佳。     

不同贮藏条件下龙葵种子的季节性休眠特性

龙葵是农田恶性杂草?为明确龙葵种子休眠与季节温度的关系, 研究了室内和室外不同贮藏条件下其种子萌发对温度的响应规律?结果表明, 室外贮藏条件下的龙葵种子萌发呈季节性变化, 从10月到翌年5月, 龙葵种子萌发率均在95%以上, 随着夏季温度的升高, 萌发率从6月开始下降, 9月达到最低值(25.4%), 由此进行年际间休眠和非休眠周期的循环?夏季6月-9月的高温可诱导龙葵种子进入休眠状态, 而秋冬季的相对低温有利于解除种子休眠, 使种子恢复萌发状态?龙葵种子休眠和非休眠状态之间的切换受季节性温度变化的影响?室内贮藏的种子, 由于环境温度较为稳定, 其萌发率年际变化较小, 在20%~50%之间?本文明确了龙葵种子休眠的周期性变化规律, 有助于精准预测其出苗时间, 研究结果可为阐明龙葵种子休眠萌发机制和制订基于萌发调控的绿色防控策略提供依据?     

Phytochrome-mediated germination control of Datura stramonium L. seeds after seed burial

A series of experiments investigated the light sensitivity of buried weed seeds both within and outside the soil gas microenvironment. Light sensitivity of Datura stramonium L. seeds was found to be increased markedly by a period of soil burial; seeds showed a pronounced germination response even in far-red light (724 nm). Despite this elevated light sensitivity (even to less than 0.01% of incident light), soil overlying buried seeds was sufficient to neutralize the germination trigger. Furthermore, in situ irradiation of buried seeds was found to be virtually ineffective as a germination trigger, showing that the gaseous environment surrounding buried seeds may represent the main obstacle to germination. It is suggested in this study that the soil environment restricts the removal of the germination-inhibiting products of fermentation metabolism. This suggestion is supported by the finding that gas exchange within the seed:soil complex, achieved by flushing with nitrogen, partially restores seed light sensitivity. In addition, it was found that with increasing sowing depth, the germination response was attenuated and also became less dependent on seed phytochrome photoequilibrium conditions. This demonstrates that the phenomenon of germination photoinduction can be reversed by other environmental factors that reduce or eliminate phytochrome physiological activity. Finally, it was shown that seed very low fluence response (VLFR) is triggered only when gas exchange around buried seeds co-occurs with light exposure.     

Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and emergence of Iresine diffusa

Iresine diffusa has become more abundant under no‐till soyabean in Argentina. The influence of temperature, light, cold‐wet storage, osmotic potential, dry storage and depth of seed burial on germination and emergence of I. diffusa was examined in a growth chamber experiment. Iresine diffusa seeds germinated at the highest proportion (>0.80) in all fluctuating day/night temperatures tested. Conversely, under a constant temperature regime, maximum germination rates occurred at 15 (0.78) and 20°C (0.82), and minimum germination rates occurred at 10 (0.19) and 30°C (0.36). Seed germination was not influenced by light exposure. However, germination decreased after 12 (0.76) and 16 (0.65) weeks in cold‐wet storage. To reduce germination significantly, ?0.4 MPa of osmotic potential (induced by PEG‐6000) or 120 mmol L^?1 of salt (NaCl) concentration was required. Seeds of I. diffusa showed high viability (0.85) after 720 days of dry storage. Low emergence was recorded for seeds buried at 2 cm, and seedling emergence was completely inhibited when seeds were buried at 5 and 10 cm. Iresine diffusa seeds had high viability and were capable of emerging in a broad range of environmental conditions. The thermal germination conditions, shallow soil depths and high moisture conditions in germination phase for I. diffusa are congruent with the conditions in Argentina no‐tillage soyabean. Thus, no‐tillage could provide better conditions for germination than conventional tillage systems. However, due to the fact that I. diffusa can reproduce by rhizomes, further research should be conducted to understand the relative importance of the vegetative reproductive strategy in relation to the presence and persistence of this weed in fields.     

不同贮藏条件对大赖草种子萌发的影响

将野外观测与室内实验相结合,研究不同贮藏条件对大赖草种子萌发的影响。结果表明：室内干藏与野外埋藏于地表的种子随贮藏时间的延长,种子萌发率呈现缓慢升高后逐渐降低的趋势,说明大赖草种子存在着后熟现象;埋藏5 cm深度的种子,埋藏2、7、8个月时,种子自然萌发率分别为5.15%、7.52%和94%,剩余种子在室内条件下萌发率大于95%。而埋藏于原生境的种子埋藏2个月无萌发现象,埋藏8个月自然萌发率为90%;说明大赖草的种子在土壤中属于瞬间种子库;黑暗有利于大赖草种子的萌发。不同贮藏条件下大赖草种子的含水量表现为：埋藏5 cm深度>埋藏于地表>室内干藏,大赖草种子萌发的最低含水量为19.5%。在自然生境中,野外埋藏的种子被动物搬运的占12%～90%,平均达44.5%,致使土壤中种子数量锐减。因此,大赖草种子在土壤种子库中数量匮乏;自然生境中干旱少雨、水分缺少,导致种子萌发后易“闪苗”。这些因素是大赖草有性繁殖更新率低的主要原因。     

Effect of the burial depth and environmental factors on the seasonal germination of bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca [L.] Kunth ssp. fascicularis [Lam.] N. Snow)

Bearded sprangletop recently was introduced to Turkey, where it has adapted to rice cultivation and become an important weed in many regions of the country. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of light, temperature, osmotic stress, salt stress, pH and flooding on bearded sprangletop germination and emergence. Mature bearded sprangletop seeds were collected from rice fields in August 2008. Approximately 1250 seeds were wrapped in plastic fabric and buried at 2 or 10 cm in pots in flooded or non‐flooded conditions. In this experiment, seed germination in the light from the flooded and non‐flooded treatments began in the spring, peaked in summer and decreased in the fall. This pattern was repeated the following year after exposing the seeds to natural seasonal temperature changes. As either the level of water stress or NaCl concentration increased, cumulative seed germination decreased. No seed germinated when the NaCl concentration exceeded 400 mole. The level of seedling emergence decreased with an increasing burial depth. Under the flooded conditions, emergence began in late April and continued until early July, with peak emergence in the first week of June. Under the non‐flooded conditions, bearded sprangletop emerged later than under the flooded conditions and the overall level of emergence was lower. The depth of burial and water stress appear to be the most important factors that limit seed germination. Germination was stimulated by light, suggesting that the seeds are positively photoblastic.     

Germination strategies of annual and short-lived perennial species in the Arabian Desert

Germination timing is highly regulated in short-lived plant species since it strongly influences recruitment success of vegetation. In deserts, the spatiotemporal distribution of plant-available water is highly episodic and unpredictable, making winter months more favorable for seed germination when other abiotic conditions co-occur. We hypothesized that changes in photoperiod and thermoperiod would impact germination more in seeds that had undergone in situ storage. We assessed 21 annual and short-lived perennial species in the Arabian Desert to find (1) if seeds were dormant at maturity, (2) if in situ seed storage increased germination percentage compared with no storage, (3) if photoperiod and thermoperiod germination requirements were influenced by in situ storage, and (4) if a phylogenetic association in seed germination could be observed. Seeds of each species collected in early 2017 were divided into two batches. One was tested for germination within one week (fresh seeds). The other was stored in situ at the maternal location (stored seeds) until October 2017 and tested for seed germination in the first week of November. Seed germination was conducted in incubators at two thermoperiods (15°C/20°C and 20°C/30°C; 12 h/12 h), and two photoperiods (12 and 0 h light per day). Results indicated that seed germination percentages of 13 species were significantly enhanced by in situ storage. A thermoperiod response was exhibited by stored, but not fresh seeds. Light exposure increased germination of fresh seeds but had only a minimal effect on stored seeds. Germination traits exhibited no phylogenetic correlation. This result indicated that selection pressure for germination strategy was stronger than that for taxonomic traits of these desert species.