Effects of drying and dl-strigol on seed conditioning and germination of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze

Seeds of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze required 7 and 14 days at 30°C to become conditioned when they were immersed in water and 10^?8m dl-strigol, respectively. At least 80% of seeds so conditioned germinated with 10^?8m dl-strigol as a terminal stimulation treatment. Seeds that were first immersed in water for 2 days, then subjected to one to three drying periods of 2 days each, either separately or continuously, required only 2 days of water immersion to become conditioned. Seeds first immersed in 10^?8m dl-strigol, then subjected to one or two drying periods, required only 3–4 days of water immersion as compared to a 14 days’requirement without drying treatments. The seeds first immersed in water or 10^?8m dl-strigol and then dried, plus one or two 10^?8m dl-strigol immersions, required 4 days of water immersion to become conditioned. However, the seeds immersed in various combinations of water or 10^?8m dl-strigol solutions plus one, two or three drying periods of 2 days each required 6 days of water immersion to become conditioned. The results indicate that the interaction of prolonged drying treatments and dl-strigol immersions delay conditioning processes in the seeds. Both water immersion and short drying treatments, however, seem to enhance certain required processes that occur during conditioning, thereby reducing the time required for the seeds to become conditioned when re-immersed in water.     

Effect of phosphate‐based seed priming on strigolactone production and Striga hermonthica infection in cereals

Strigolactones, plant‐secreted underground signalling molecules, play an important role in agricultural ecosystems, because they mediate the interaction of crops with symbiotic AM fungi and parasitic weeds like Striga hermonthica. Cereal host plants secret these signalling molecules particularly under nutrient‐deficient conditions and especially when phosphate (P) is limiting. The objective of the present study was to see the potential of P seed priming for S. hermonthica management in cereals in relation to strigolactone production. It has been demonstrated that P fertiliser application down‐regulates the production of these signalling molecules in the rhizosphere, which results in lower S. hermonthica infection of cereals. The laboratory study showed maximum production of strigolactones from dry and water‐soaked seeds, while seed soaking in P solution reduced their production. Similarly, maximum S. hermonthica infection was observed under control treatments with dry sowing or water soaking, while P seed soaking decreased S. hermonthica germination, emergence and dry biomass in all cereal crops. Our study shows that P seed priming resulted in lower exudation of strigolactones, which induced less S. hermonthica seeds germination and hence may lead to lower S. hermonthica infection. P‐based seed priming could prove to be an effective and affordable strategy to reduce S. hermonthica infection in cereals. Further research for practical field application is needed.     

Xenognosin production and tolerance to Striga asiatica infection of high-yielding maize cultivars

Summary Ten cultivars of maize, a number of which are high yielding in the presence of the weed Striga asiatica in sub-Saharan Africa, were tested for resistance and tolerance to this root hemiparasite. Observed in rhizotrons, Striga asiatica attached and developed on roots of all cultivars, indicating that none exhibited a true resistance mechanism. However, root exudates from two cultivars, IWD STR Co and Zea diploperennis BC4C2, stimulated relatively little germination of S. asiatica , indicating low xenognosin production, with few parasites attaching and no significant decrease in host height or biomass apparent after 55 days of infection. Cultivar 98 Syn WEC also exhibited no significant differences in height and biomass on infection despite high xenognosin production and a lack of resistance to parasite attachment and development, indicating the operation of a tolerance mechanism. Cross-breeding of these low xenognosin-producing maize cultivars and Striga -tolerant lines could produce cultivars that perform exceptionally well on Striga -infested soils. This study highlights the need for cereal breeders to distinguish between the different mechanisms underpinning host performance in the presence of Striga .     

Purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica) germination and seedbank depletion under different crops,fallow, and bare soil

Seedbank density is an important aspect that determines the amount of damage that the parasitic weed, purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica; hereafter, called “Striga”), causes on its crop hosts. The seedbank depletion of Striga was measured in Mali and Niger during the 2004 rainy season under the host crops, pearl millet and sorghum, the non‐host crops, cowpea and sesame, the intercrops of pearl millet or sorghum with cowpea or sesame, and fallow with or without weeding. Two methods were used and compared; namely, a seed bag method and a soil‐sampling method. The fate of the seeds was assessed by a seed press test. Seed germination, as determined by the presence of empty seed coats, contributed most to the seedbank depletion of Striga under a variety of crop covers and fallow. The highest seedbank depletion was found under the monocultures of the host crops. The intercrops of the host and non‐host crops caused less seedbank depletion, followed by the monocultures of the non‐host crops, fallow, and bare soil. The seed bag method and the soil‐sampling method yielded similar percentages of seedbank depletion, while the former allowed for distinguishing between the germinated and diseased seeds. The results suggest that, although all the tested crop species can cause the seed germination and seedbank depletion of Striga, management by using host cereal crops causes the highest amount of germination and has the highest potential to deplete the soil seed bank, provided that seed production is prevented.     

拌种防治玉米二点委夜蛾的药剂筛选及其安全性研究

为了筛选拌种防治二点委夜蛾的有效药剂,并明确其对玉米种子萌发的安全性。本文通过培养皿法和室内盆栽试验比较了9种不同类型杀虫剂拌种对玉米种子萌发的影响以及保苗效果。结果表明,60%溴氰虫酰胺SC和20%氯虫苯甲酰胺SC拌种处理效果较好,保苗效果分别达到90.02%和70.07%,可将死苗率控制在10%以内,被害指数控制在20%以内,且对玉米出苗安全。因此,60%溴氰虫酰胺SC和20%氯虫苯甲酰胺SC可作为拌种防止玉米二点委夜蛾为害的有效药剂。     

Seed production and subsequent seed germination of Senecio vulgaris (groundsel) grown alone or in autumn-sown crops

Senecio vulgaris is a common weed of agriculture in the UK, but is also of food value to invertebrates and birds. Thus, it may be beneficial to retain it within agricultural ecosystems to enhance overall biodiversity. A less intensive approach to weed management requires a sound understanding of weed population dynamics so as to avoid unacceptable population growth. Experiments were carried out in 2003 and 2004 to assess seed production, and subsequent germination, by S. vulgaris growing alone, in winter wheat, or in winter field beans. Plant and seed samples were collected during May and June. There was a strong allometric relationship between capsule number and plant weight, irrespective of the year or the presence of crop competition. Numbers of seeds/capsule varied slightly from 51 to 66 seeds per capsule. Plants growing alone were estimated to produce 8471 to 12 887 seeds per plant, whilst those in wheat only 923 to 2156. Germination tests in Petri dishes in incubators showed that virtually all seeds were viable and germinated under daily alternating light:dark conditions within 10 days. Seeds in continuous dark germinated less readily, reaching only 30% after 21 days. On the basis of this and other published work, it would appear that the retention of S. vulgaris in arable fields will not pose a major threat to the long-term viability of crop production.     

胡杨根际可培养细菌的分离及抑制瓜列当种子萌发研究

从胡杨生存的干旱强光照逆境中获得新的细菌资源,从中筛选新的可抑制瓜列当种子萌发的生防菌。采用3种分离培养基,以稀释涂布法对塔里木河流域3处胡杨根系样品进行可培养细菌分离,通过分析分离菌株16S rRNA基因序列确定其种属分类。采用皿内培养法测定其对瓜列当种子萌发的抑制活性,利用盆栽试验检测分离菌株M2-3对瓜列当寄生的防治效果。结果分离获得98株细菌,分属于28个属,马赛菌属Massilia、Pontibacter、玫瑰单胞菌属Roseomonas为优势菌属。其中,菌株M2-3与Pontibacter salisaro HMC5104T的相似度最高,为97.92%,其菌体发酵液10倍稀释液对瓜列当种子萌发抑制率为87.8%,盆栽试验表明该菌株对瓜列当防效可达36.9%,具备进一步开发可能性。     

Inter-population variabilities in seed mass and germination of Panicum turgidum and Pennisetum divisum in the desert of Kuwait

Understanding variability in seed germination among populations is essential for planning an effective germplasm collection for restoration and conservation purposes.The knowledge of germination and dormancy patterns among populations of desert grasses is crucial for determining the potential of the species and populations to be used for restoration and conservation as well as forage production.Variability in seed germination of Panicum turgidum Forssk and Pennisetum divisum(Gmel.)Henr.in the desert of Kuwait was evaluated in different populations in May 2017.Experiment of seed germination(25 seeds and 4 replicates)was conducted for each population at night/day temperatures of 15℃/20℃and 20℃/30℃under the following light condition:continuous darkness or 12 h/12 h light/dark.Results showed that seed masses of both species strongly varied according to their seed provenances,and both species produced heavier seeds in population with a higher soil electrical conductivity.Seed germination percentage considerably varied between two species,and the variation in P.turgidum was greater(17%–49%)than that of P.divisum(72%–93%).Germination percentage in P.turgidum was greater at high temperature(20℃/30℃)than at low temperature(15℃/20℃).However,temperature regimes had no effect on germination percentage of P.divisum seeds.Mean germination time of both species exhibited significant inter-population variability.This result is especially relevant to assure the selection of the best population of each species and the regeneration success of the species.Besides this,inter-population variability also provides valuable information for enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate seed germination and how they might be related to seed provenance.     

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.     

Effects of temperature and light on seed germination of ephemeral plants in the Gurbantunggut Desert,China: implications for vegetation restoration

Seed germination is a key transitional stage in plant life cycle and is strongly regulated by temperature and light. Therefore, research on the effects of temperature and light on seed germination is extremely meaningful for vegetation restoration, especially in desert ecosystems. Seeds of 28 ephemeral plants collected from the Gurbantunggut Desert of China were incubated at different temperatures (5°C/1°C, 15°C/5°C, 20°C/5°C, 25°C/10°C and 30°C/15°C) in 12-h light/12-h darkness or continuous darkness regimes, and the responses of seed germination to temperature and light and the germination speed were studied in 2016. Results showed that seed germination percentage of the 28 ephemeral plants significantly differed to temperature and light. We classified the studied plants as the following groups based on their responses to temperature: 1 low temperature responsed plants, 12 moderate temperature responsed plants, 7 high temperature responsed plants, 4 non-responsed plants and 5 plants of no germination. It should be noted that Corispermum lehmannianum Bunge is sensitive to both moderate and high temperatures. There were 4 groups of plant in response to light, i.e., 7 light responsed plants, 10 dark responsed plants, 6 light non-responsed plants and 5 plants of no germination. Based on seed germination speed of the 28 ephemeral plants, we divided them into 4 patterns of germination, i.e., very rapid, moderately rapid, moderate and slow. Combining variations of temperature, precipitation and sand dune types in the study area, we suggested that very rapid and moderately rapid germinated plants could be used to moving sand dunes in early spring during vegetation restoration, moderate germinated plants could be used to semi-fixed sand dunes in late autumn, and slow germinated plants could be used to sand plain in summer. Thus, seedling establishment and vegetation restoration would be improved by considering seed germination characteristics of these ephemeral plants in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China.     

黄土丘陵植被恢复过程中土壤种子库萌发数量特征及动态变化

采用野外定点采样与室内土壤种子萌发试验相结合的研究方法,选取黄土丘陵区典型草原带宁夏固原地区不同植被恢复年限(2,5,12,24,35,55,75 a)及当年农地(对照)的8个样地,研究该区土壤种子库萌发数量特征及动态变化.结果表明,8个不同植被恢复年限样地土壤中可萌发的种子的平均数量为3542.5粒/m2,可萌发种子以双子叶植物为主,约占萌发总数的90%.0～5 cm土层可萌发种子数量变化于166.7～9100.0粒/m2;5～10 cm土层变化于133.38～2120.02粒/m2.土壤中可萌发种子数量随着恢复年限的增加表现先增加后下降的趋势.土壤中可萌发的种子数量随时间的变化近似单峰型,双子叶植物峰值主要出现在第4～6周,而单子叶植物萌发高峰在5～6周.表明在环境,气候等条件适宜时,黄土丘陵区典型草原带可萌发的土壤中的种子可形成萌发高峰.     

Seedling emergence and seed longevity of the tree weeds Celtis sinensis and Cinnamomum camphora

Factors influencing germination and seed survival of Celtis sinensis Pers. and Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. were investigated in a series of experiments conducted under natural rainfall regimes in the field and under irrigation in a growth tunnel. Germination from surface-sown seeds of C. camphora was virtually nil under natural rainfall, in contrast to almost 100% germination under irrigation. This suggests that surface-lying seeds of this species will germinate only in highly protected microsites in the field. For C. sinensis , however, in one of the two field experiments germination from surface-sown seeds was similar (≈40%) to that achieved under irrigation. Germination from intact fruits of both species was generally considerably less than from seeds. Seeds of both species were relatively short-lived under field conditions. A maximum of 1% of seeds of C. camphora remained viable at 12 months post-sowing under field conditions, whereas a maximum of 8% viable seeds of C. sinensis was detected at 24 months post-sowing in one of the field experiments.     

PEG胁迫对三种豆科牧草种子萌发及幼苗生理影响

本实验采用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱,研究了不同干旱胁迫对三种多年生豆科牧草(白三叶、红豆草、紫花苜蓿)种子萌发与幼苗生理影响。结果表明:随着PEG浓度的升高,三种豆科牧草种子发芽率、发芽指数和叶片相对含水量都呈下降趋势;白三叶种子的发芽势在PEG浓度为10%时出现拐点。不同PEG胁迫下白三叶发芽率最高,紫花苜蓿较低;红豆草叶片相对含水量较高,且下降趋势平缓。随着PEG浓度胁迫加剧,白三叶和红豆草叶片SOD活性先升后降,紫花苜蓿叶片SOD活性先降后升;白三叶和红豆草叶片POD活性呈现"Z"变化;三种豆科牧草CAT和根系活力总体呈先升后降趋势,且红豆草CAT活性和根系活力最高。     

黄花刺茄浸提液对番茄种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

为明确入侵植物黄花刺茄对当地主栽经济作物番茄种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,本文采用培养皿滤纸法,在智能光照培养箱的变温控制条件下,分别研究了黄花刺茄根、茎、叶浸提液对番茄种子发芽率、发芽指数及幼苗根长和苗高的影响。结果表明:(1)黄花刺茄不同器官的浸提液对番茄种子发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗根长和苗高的影响不同,其茎、叶浸提液的化感作用较为显著(P<0.01)。(2)黄花刺茄同部位浸提液对番茄种子发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗根长和苗高不同指标的影响也不同。根浸提液对种子发芽率、幼苗根长影响不显著(P>0.05),但对种子发芽指数的影响极显著(P<0.01)。茎和叶浸提液各浓度对种子发芽指数的影响比种子发芽率、幼苗根长和苗高的影响显著(P<0.01)。     

Inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth by hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.) seed leachate

The leaching of phenolics from decoated seeds, seed coats and pericarps of hound's-tongue ( Cynoglossum officinale L.), factors affecting leaching, and seed germination and seedling growth inhibitory activities of the leachate were investigated. Embryonic axes and cotyledons contained a large amount of methanol-soluble phenolic substances. Decoated seeds released phenolics into an aqueous incubation medium and this solution was capable of inhibiting root elongation of several grassy and broadleaf species, but not of hound's-tongue. The leachate and the phenolic fraction of the leachate inhibited germination of bluebunch wheatgrass ( Pseudoroegnaria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve [syn. Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. and J. G. Sm.]). The non-phenolic fraction of the leachate did not inhibit seed germination or root and shoot elongation of bluebunch wheatgrass. Low oxygen and an increasing temperature significantly increased the amount of phenolic substances leached from decoated seeds. Increased leaching of phenolic substances related to an increasing temperature was associated with the loss of seed viability. Further investigation of the role of water-extractable hound's-tongue seed phenolics in the interaction of this species with its biotic environment under field conditions is needed to determine the ecological significance of these findings.     

丸粒化处理对胡麻种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响研究

采用二因素裂区设计,以保水剂和活性炭、硅藻土、凹凸棒为填充剂的包衣材料制作丸粒化胡麻种子,研究了丸粒化处理对胡麻种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:与不加保水剂相比,保水剂质量与种子质量为1∶1时,丸粒种子的活力指数和出苗率显著提高20.11%、18.62%;随着保水剂含量的增加,幼苗的根冠比显著减小3.25%。包衣剂中以活性炭:凹凸棒=1∶1为填充剂的发芽率和出苗率比不加填充剂的明显提高6.79%、22.41%,幼苗生长最健壮。与未丸粒化的种子相比,当保水剂质量与种子质量为1∶1时,以活性炭:凹凸棒=1∶1为填充剂的丸粒种子发芽指数、活力指数和出苗率显著提高,而且幼苗的茎粗、叶面积和根冠比分别显著增加11.02%、27.35%、28.07%。可见,适量的保水剂(保水剂质量与种子质量为1∶1)和以活性炭、凹凸棒为填充剂的包衣剂能提高胡麻种子活力,增加出苗率,使幼苗的干物质重增大,根系发达,根冠比提高,为胡麻高产奠定了良好的基础。