The biology of African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum Trin.) in Tasmania, I. Seedling establishment |
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Authors: | A R HARRADINE |
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Institution: | Department of Agriculture, G.P.O. Box 192B, Hobart, 7001 Tasmania, Australia |
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Abstract: | Seedling establishment of Pennisetum macrourum was studied in a series of glasshouse and field experiments. Maximum germination of 88% occurred at a constant temperature of 30C. In the glasshouse, highest seedling establishment was obtained from seeds buried 1 cm deep; it was less than 25% from seeds sown on the soil surface. Dormancy was induced in seeds buried 8 cm deep but only 6.4% remained viable after 6 months. Few viable seeds of P. macrourum were found in the soil and only one seedling was observed to establish in the field over a 20 month period. Up to 98% of seedlings transplanted into the field established successfully. The results suggest that reproduction by seed would not be a major problem in the control of P. macrourum. |
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