Influence of defoliation on reproductive capacity and growth in Buddleja davidii

This study aims at quantifying the effects of defoliation on seed production and germination in Buddleja davidii , and determining the potential for reducing the invasive success of the species. The effects of defoliation on seed production and germination at the flower spike and plant levels were investigated for control plants and plants that were defoliated by 66% at monthly intervals from mid-summer (January) to mid-autumn (April). Seed samples for germination were collected in late autumn (May). Defoliation reduced flower spike number per shoot, seed number per flower spike and average seed mass by 9%, 22% and 13% and 30%, 33% and 17% on main and side shoots, respectively. In contrast, emergent leaf area per shoot in the defoliated plants exceeded that for the control plants by 89%. The ratio of total seed mass per plant/emergent leaf area per shoot was significantly lower in the defoliated compared with the control plants by 50%. Defoliation did not affect the timing or rate of seed germination. Defoliation of B. davidii resulted in a marked decrease in reproductive capacity, consistent with the priority allocation of resources to compensational leaf area growth.     

三唑酮种子包衣对冬小麦种子萌发和幼芽抗逆因子的影响

为评价三唑酮种子包衣对冬小麦种子萌发的安全性,以苯醚甲环唑为对照药剂,研究了不同包衣剂量三唑酮对周麦22和铭贤169小麦种子发芽及周麦22抗逆相关生化因子的影响。结果表明:周麦22和铭贤169小麦种子发芽指数、种子活力指数和发芽率均与三唑酮包衣剂量呈负相关,且符合指数方程Y=A+B×e(-x/k),但铭贤169种子发芽指数、种子活力指数和发芽率对三唑酮剂量变化更敏感;三唑酮种子包衣能引起小麦幼芽体内赤霉素(gibberellins,GAs)含量降低和脱落酸(abscisic acid,ABA)含量升高,且GAs含量下降程度和ABA水平升高程度均随三唑酮包衣剂量的增加而增加,从理论上解释了三唑酮可对小麦种子萌发产生抑制作用且抑制作用与包衣剂量相关的原因。但通过对幼芽相关抗逆因子的研究表明,三唑酮包衣有利于新长成幼芽中叶绿素含量、根系呼吸速率、可溶性蛋白质含量和α-淀粉酶活性的增加以及细胞膜通透性降低,说明三唑酮包衣在一定程度上有助于新长出幼芽抗逆性的增加。相比之下,苯醚甲环唑对小麦种子萌发的抑制作用比三唑酮小,且更有利于幼芽抗逆性增加。     

Germination characteristics and seedbank of the alien species Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) in Brazilian forest: ecological implications

Plant species invasiveness is frequently associated with rapid proliferation and production of seeds that can persist in the soil for long periods of time. Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) is an alien and invasive species, for example in Brazilian forest and savannah ecosystems. This study quantified the invasive potential of this species by analysing its seed rain (using seed collectors), seed longevity in the soil (stored in buried bags) and the germination capacity of the soil seedbank (by collecting soil samples in the study area). Our results showed that seed rain occurred throughout the year, although more intensely from July to September, with about 5500 seeds m^?2 year^?1 being released. The numbers of seeds in the buried bags diminished over time and intact seeds showed low germinability (approximately 15%), although their viability remained >80% of the recovered seeds after two years of in situ storage. The germinability of seeds collected directly from the soil was approximately 40%, indicating that more than half of the seeds of soil seedbank were dormant (physical dormancy). Leucaena leucocephala produces large numbers of seeds and is able to form a persistent short‐lived seedbank (viability 1–5 years). These factors may contribute significantly to its invasive potential, which makes it difficult to control this species once it becomes established. As control costs become higher over time, immediate public efforts are needed to counter this threat.     

Uptake and fate of triticonazole applied as seed treatment to spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Following seed treatment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with ¹⁴C-labelled triticonazole at a dose of 1·8 g kg^-1 seed, the uptake of radioactivity by shoots and roots was investigated from the two- to three-leaf stage up to the beginning of the booting phase, 80 days after sowing. Triticonazole equivalents taken up by wheat plants reached 5·7% and 14·6% of the applied dose in the shoots and the roots, respectively. Between the two- to three-leaf stage and the beginning of the booting phase, the concentration of triticonazole equivalents in the shoots decreased from 2·5 to 0·15 μg g^-1 fresh weight. This was attributed to uptake of triticonazole by roots not keeping pace with shoot growth and increased retention in the roots of triticonazole taken up. The main factor limiting the uptake of triticonazole by the roots may be the rapid growth of the uptake-active apical root parts out of the dressing zone which had formed in the soil. Distribution of triticonazole equivalents taken up by the main shoot showed a decreasing concentration gradient from the oldest to the youngest leaf. An increase in the seed treatment dose was investigated as a way to increase the concentration of triticonazole in the shoots, but its influence remained limited. © 1998 SCI     

Influences of herbicides, uprooting and use as cut flowers on sexual reproduction of Solidago canadensis

Solidago canadensis is a noxious invasive species in China. We examined the influences of herbicides on pollen germination and pollen tube growth and the effects of cutting flowers and herbicides on seed production and quality. We also determined the seed production and resource allocation to different organs of S. canadensis after uprooting the plants during their reproductive periods. The main results were as follows: (i) 49% pollen of S. canadensis was able to germinate on an appropriate medium; (ii) compared with paraquat, ethephon and 2,4-D, glyphosate had an ideal inhibitory effect on pollen germination and the formation of seeds of S. canadensis ; (3) cut flowering branches, when placed in water or nutrient solution, were still able to produce viable seeds; (4) resources were allocated more to the inflorescences to facilitate seed maturation after plants were uprooted at the flowering stage. Uprooted flower branches were still able to produce viable seeds, especially those in full flower. Therefore, in order to reduce the seed production of S. canadensis and spread of the species we suggest: (i) apply glyphosate at the flower bud stage, (ii) completely destroy uprooted plants at flowering stages and (iii) avoid using the flowering branches as ornamental materials.     

鲜食玉米种子包衣对地下害虫的防控以及苗期生长发育的影响

为研究3种种衣剂对鲜食玉米主要地下害虫的防治效果以及对幼苗生长发育的影响，从而筛选出高效低毒的种衣剂。试验以京科甜183和京科糯2010为试验品种，比较了3.5%满适金＋30%锐胜、福亮（40%溴酰·噻虫嗪种子处理悬浮剂）和50亿孢子/g球孢白僵菌3种种衣剂的室内和田间试验结果。结果表明：各药剂处理对鲜食玉米均不产生药害，出苗安全，没有发现药害植株。种子包衣可提高种子活力和出苗率，其中在3.5%满适金＋30%锐胜处理下，京科甜183的发芽势和发芽率最高，分别达到91.5%和92.75%；京科糯2010在50亿/g球孢白僵菌的处理下发芽率达到最高，为93.00%，发芽势在3.5%满适金＋30%锐胜处理下达到最高，为91.50%。3种种衣剂都能促进幼苗的株高和干物质的积累。对于地下害虫的防治效果，其中50亿孢子/g球孢白僵菌对地下害虫的防治效果最好，对京科甜183和京科糯2010的地下害虫的防治效果达到79.67%和88.67%。为了既能促进植株生长发育又能很好的防治地下害虫，生产中推荐球孢白僵菌与低毒种衣剂菌药混用。     

Tumbleweeds in the Western Australian cropping system: seed dispersal characteristics of Salsola australis

Salsola australis, like other agricultural weed species of the Salsola genus, produces a mobile seedbank. Aspects of this mobile seedbank were investigated in three field trials, including total seed production, rate of seed shedding, rate at which seeds lose germinability and the distance and directionality of plant movement. Total seed production was highly variable (ranging from 138 to 7734 seeds per plant), but was directly related to aboveground plant biomass at maturity. Following senescence, mature plants broke free of their root system and the wind driven plants moved considerable distances (1.6–1247.2 m). Half of the mobile plants moved <100 m, as they became entangled with other S. australis plants within the stand. Seed shedding commenced before the plants became mobile and increased with movement, but was also related to the aging and weathering processes experienced by stationary or mobile plants. All plants retained a proportion of their seed in spite of movement, weathering and ageing of the plants, although germinability of retained seed dropped to <2% after 2 months. Salsola australis engages in broad scale seed dispersal similar to that observed in other species of the Salsola genus, allowing this species to maintain a high rate of invasion and range expansion.     

Control of the invasive liana, Hiptage benghalensis

The liana, hiptage ( Hiptage benghalensis ), is currently invading the wet tropics of northern Queensland and remnant bushland in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Trials using seven herbicides and three application methods (foliar, basal bark, and cut stump) were undertaken at a site in north Queensland (158 700 hiptage plants ha⁻¹). The foliar-applied herbicides were only effective in controlling the hiptage seedlings. Of the foliar herbicides trialed, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and triclopyr/picloram controlled >75% of the treated seedlings. On the larger plants, the cut stump applications were more effective than the basal bark treatments. Kills of >95% were obtained when the plants were cut close to ground level (5 cm) and treated with herbicides that were mixed with diesel (fluroxypyr and triclopyr/picloram), with water (glyphosate), or were applied neat (picloram). The costings for the cut stump treatment of a hiptage infestation (85 000 plants ha⁻¹), excluding labor, would be $A14 324 ha⁻¹ using picloram and $A5294 ha⁻¹ and $A2676 ha⁻¹, respectively, using glyphosate and fluroxypyr. Foliar application using dicamba for seedling control would cost $A1830 ha⁻¹. The costs range from 2–17 cents per plant depending on the treatment. A lack of hiptage seeds below the soil surface, a high germinability (>98%) of the viable seeds, a low viability (0%) of 2 year old, laboratory-stored fruit, and a seedling density of 0.1 seedlings m⁻² 12 months after a control program indicate that hiptage might have a short-term seed bank. Protracted recolonization from the seed bank would therefore be unlikely after established seed-producing plants have been controlled.     

Effects of flooding on rooting and sprouting of isolated stem segments and on plant growth of Paspalum distichum L.

Summary. Bud sprouting, shoot height, and fresh and dry weights of plants arising from single-node stem segments of Paspalum distichum L. decreased as the depth of burial in the soil increased. Sprouting, rooting and shoot growth of single-node segments submerged in 5–15 cm of water were reduced significantly in the dark. Light alleviated this water-induced reduction in 1-, 3- and 7-node segments. Submergence actually promoted sprouting of the proximal bud and shoot growth from the distal bud in 3-node segments, and shoot growth of the first two buds from the distal end in 7-node segments, Flooding the roots of 3-week -old plants for one month had no effect, but markedly reduced tiller production and dry weights after 2 and 3 months. Treatment at 100% relative humidity promoted new shoot production in 4-month old plants only if all shoots were decapitated (clipped) but not in plants with 6 shoots left intact. Submergence of the whole plant in water drastically reduced new shoot production regardless of clipping treatment. Effects of flooding varied with its duration. It is concluded that though P. distichum , a wetland perennial weed, survives root flooding and submergence conditions, these conditions do not support maximum growth of the plants.     

Changes in germinability, dormancy and viability of Amaranthus retroflexus as affected by depth and duration of burial

Changes in dormancy and viability of Amaranthus retroflexus seeds were examined after placement in pots that were buried in the field. Seeds were placed in woven nylon envelopes on the soil surface or buried at depths of 2.5, 5 or 10 cm. After 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months seeds were exhumed and their germinability was tested to assess changes in dormancy and viability. Depletion of seed stocks placed on the soil surface was partly because of in situ germination that did not exceed 21% and did not vary significantly over the 12-month study period. Less germination of buried seeds occurred in situ , and seeds that did not germinate appeared to acquire dormancy. Exhumed seeds germinated readily; germinability was linearly related to the depth of burial, with those retrieved from the surface germinating least. Cyclical changes in germinability occurred during the 12-month burial period, but this influence was identical for seeds buried at all depths. Germinability was greatest after periods with the lowest mean monthly temperatures and least during the hottest periods. The stimulation of remaining ungerminated seeds exhumed at each period, by the addition of ethephon to the germination medium, provided further evidence of a seasonal acquisition of dormancy, and it was concluded that other unknown factors besides cyclical changes in seasonal temperature were responsible. Irrespective of placement, all seeds lost viability at an exponential rate over time. However, the decline was most rapid for those placed on the surface, whereas the loss in viability became less with increased depth of burial. Possible explanations for this adaptation of enhanced survival when buried are discussed.     

Quantifying the dormancy of Alopecurus myosuroides seeds produced by plants exposed to different soil moisture and temperature regimes

In pot studies, seeds of Alopecurus myosuroides were less dormant when produced under warm and dry, than under cool and wet conditions. The temperature to which plants were exposed had a greater effect on seed dormancy than soil moisture. The timing of temperature stress had a big impact on initial seed dormancy. The critical period was during seed maturation, irrespective of temperature conditions during the earlier phase of panicle emergence and anthesis. A much higher proportion (57–62%) of seeds collected from fields in 2001, 2003 and 2005 were non‐dormant than in 2002 and 2004 (22–28%). Meteorological records showed that the mid‐June to mid‐July periods in England for 2001, 2003 and 2005 were warmer than average but in 2002 and 2004 were cooler than average. Consequently, results for samples collected from fields support those from experiments conducted under more controlled conditions. Studies in outdoor micro‐plots showed that the differences in seed dormancy recorded with freshly produced seed did affect the rate of germination in the field, 2–3 months after shedding.     

Effects of dose and application timing on the seed production of three weed species treated with MCPA or tribenuron-methyl

The seed production of Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love, Galium spurium L, and Thlaspi arvense L., treated with MCPA or tribenuron-methyl, was studied in a pot experiment. The herbicides were applied in doses from 1/16 to 1/l of a full dose at five different growth stages. The largest reduction of seed production was observed on plants treated when one true leaf had developed (F. convolvulus, both herbicides) or at the beginning of the generative phase (G. spurium treated with tribenuron-methyl and T. arvense treated with either herbicide). Tribenuron-methyl (0.375 g a.i. ha^?1) or MCPA (0.1875 kg a.i. ha^?1) applied at bolting stage was enough to reduce the seed production of T. arvense by 83% and 100%, respectively. The seed production of F. convolvulus, treated with 0.75 kg MCPA at the cotyledon stage, was reduced by 70%. Plants of G. spurium with 5–9 axillary shoots, treated with 3 g tribenuron-methyl, produced 45% fewer seeds than the control. Both herbicides (at least at the highest doses) reduced seed production of all three species more than shoot dry matter.     

Seasonal pattern of shoot emergence and its endogenous control in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.)

Controlling established horsenettle plants is achieved by suppressing shoot emergence from root systems. The seasonal pattern of shoot emergence and its possible endogenous control in horsenettle ( Solanum carolinense L.) were investigated. The shoot emergence period in an undisturbed population was limited to a seven-week period from mid-April, and a little longer in tilled conditions. Detached roots showed very high shoot-sprouting ability under 15–30°C throughout the year. In shoot clipping experiments, new shoots sprouted only from the stem and not from the root when attached to shoots, whether above-ground or underground. On the contrary, new shoots sprouted from the roots when all parts of the shoots were clipped off. From these results, the limited shoot emergence period in horsenettle is thought to be initiated by temperatures necessary for sprouting and is ended by a growth correlation effect between early emerged and matured shoots.     

The effect of chemical and heat treatments on germination of Commelina benghalensis L. aerial seeds

The effects of concentrated sulphuric acid, dry heat, hot water and NaOCl treatments on the germinability of dormant large and small aerial Commelina benghalensis L. seeds were evaluated. Concentrated sulphuric acid and NaOCl treatments were more effective than the dry heat and hot water treatments in breaking the dormancy of C. benghalensis aerial seeds. Treatments increased germination of both seed types due to its effect on the seed coat integrity. A scanning electron microscope revealed that changes as a result of scarification occurred in the hilum region of the seed and in the seed coat surface. The large aerial seeds were affected by all treatments more than the small aerial seeds. Difference in germinability between the two seed types was related to the difference in their seed vigour.     

Evolution de l'aptitude à germer des graines d'Amaranthus retroflexus L. récoltées dans différentes conditions, au cours de leur conservation

Development during storage of germinability of seeds of Amaranthus retroflexus L. harvested under different conditions The effect was studied of dry storage at 20 ± 1°C for 6 months or in soil 15 cm below the surface during one winter, on the germination behaviour of seeds of Amaranthus retroflexus L. harvested at the level of the main inflorescence on the parent plants grown under natural conditions or in different conditions of controlled photoperiod or temperature. At harvest, the seeds from plants which had developed late (July) in natural conditions were less dormant than those from plants appearing earlier (April); in controlled conditions, plants grown at 20°C in long days (16 h) produced seeds more dormant than those harvested from plants grown either at 20°C in short days (8 h) or at 25°C in long days (16 h). After dry storage or in the soil, this variation in germinability decreased but was never totally suppressed; the seeds retained the characteristics acquired during their formation and maturation. At harvest, for a defined growing condition, the dormancy of the seeds produced depends on the physiological state of the parent plants; after storage, the seeds which were the most dormant at harvest germinated more than the less dormant seeds. Finally, burying has a more favourable effect on breaking dormancy of the seeds than has dry storage.     

Effect of date of emergence on the growth of the clonal perennial Cyperus esculentus in the Haute Lande, south-western France

In order to develop management strategies in an intensive agricultural region of south-western France, we examined in a two-year experiment, the consequences of change in emergence date on the growth and development of the clonal perennial Cyperus esculentus . Germinated tubers emerged in early May, June and late July and were harvested 4, 5 or 6 months after emergence. Total shoot and tuber number per individual increased throughout the growing season, then significantly decreased in autumn. All plants produced tubers, the primary means of reproduction, including the smallest and latest emerging cohorts, but the allocation to tubers decreased with emergence date. However, emergence date had no effect on the emergence rate of the shoots, indicating that the reduction in total shoot production was not counterbalanced by an acceleration of this production when the growing season shortened. Consequently, management programs should advantageously integrate agricultural practices (i) that avoid periods without crops between April and October, (ii) that delay C. esculentus emergence and (iii) that include interventions on the newly emerged individuals.     

Responses of Abutilon theophrasti to agricultural management systems

Seeds of Abutilon theophrasti Medic., collected from plants growing in a continuous maize or soyabean field subjected to herbicide application, cultivation or no weed management for 10 years, differed significantly in their weight and germinability. The differences in mean weight and germinability of the progeny seeds were maintained when the parent plants were grown in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. The offspring of plants with or without previous exposure to atrazine responded similarly to the herbicide in all the measurements of the growth and development of the plants, except blooms. Significant differences between the two groups of plants were mainly observed in the weight and germinability of their seeds. Although plants with or without previous exposure to atrazine usually did not differ significantly in their response to the herbicide in terms of individual traits, they differed both in the amount and pattern of overall response across all traits. The difference in overall response between plants increased with increasing rate of atrazine. It is possible that previous exposure to the herbicide had caused minor variation in a group of inter-correlated traits or in the strength or pattern of correlation among traits.     

Tracing seed to seedling transmission of the wheat blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum

Wheat blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), initially restricted to South America, is a global threat for wheat after spreading to Asia in 2016 by the introduction of contaminated seeds, raising the question about transmission of the pathogen from seeds to seedlings, a process so far not well understood. We therefore studied the relationship between seed infection and disease symptoms on seedlings and adult plants. To accomplish this objective, we inoculated spikes of wheat cv. Apogee with a transgenic isolate (MoT-DsRed, with the addition of being resistant to hygromycin). We identified MoT-DsRed in experiments using hygromycin resistance for selection or by observation of DsRed fluorescence. The seeds from infected plants looked either apparently healthy or shrivelled. To evaluate the transmission, two experimental designs were chosen (blotter test and greenhouse) and MoT-DsRed was recovered from both. This revealed that MoT is able to colonize wheat seedlings from infected seeds under the ground. The favourable conditions of temperature and humidity allowed a high recovery rate of MoT from wheat shoots when grown in artificial media. Around 42 days after germination of infected seeds, MoT-DsRed could not be reisolated, indicating that fungal progression, at this time point, did not proceed systemically/endophytically. We hypothesize that spike infection might occur via spore dispersal from infected leaves rather than within the plant. Because MoT-DsRed was not only successfully reisolated from seed coats and germinating seeds with symptoms, but also from apparently healthy seeds, urgent attention is needed to minimize the risks of inadvertent dispersal of inoculum.     

Growth and reproduction of Hypochoeris radicata L.

Hypochoeris radicata L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial, native to Europe, and is widespread in several countries. The objective of the present study was to reveal the life history characteristics of H. radicata by focusing on its reproductive strategy. Flowering, seed-setting, and vegetative propagation of the species were observed in pots. Reproductive propagation of the species also was investigated in natural populations. The light and temperature requirements for seed germination were examined. The species germinated in temperatures ranging from 10–30°C, both in light and dark. With plants grown in pots, reproductive growth started when the rosette diameter reached ≈ 14–16 cm. Flowering was not day length-related, but it possibly was related to temperature. In natural populations, the flowering and seed-setting periods continued for > 6 months. Vegetative propagation occasionally occurred in plants with three or more shoots by the crown splitting below ground level.     

老芒麦和诺丹冰草种子发育过程中含水量、百粒重和活力的变化

本文对不同成熟度的老芒麦 ( Elymus sibiricus)和诺丹冰草 ( Agropyron deserto-rum cv.nordan)种子含水量、百粒重和萌发力进行了测定 ,以了解种子成熟度与种子质量的关系 ,为生产中确定收获时期提供依据。结果表明 ,两种牧草种子的萌发力分别在花后 1 0天和1 5天左右开始具有 ,并随着发育程度的提高而逐渐提高 ,到生理成熟期达到最大。种子的休眠程度与发育程度有关 ,老芒麦种子的休眠程度随着种子成熟度的提高而逐渐减弱。冰草种子在蜡熟期时休眠程度明显加深 ,随后又减弱。根据种子成熟过程中水分含量、种子重量以及萌发力变化 ,确定冰草种子的适宜收获时期为水分含量在 1 8% - 2 0 %左右时 ;老芒麦种子的适宜收获时期为水分含量在 40 % - 45 %之间