Growth, Development, and Seed Biology of Feather Fingergrass (Chloris virgata) in Southern Australia

Weed Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
The D. Ngo ◽  
Peter Boutsalis ◽  
Christopher Preston ◽  
Gurjeet Gill

Feather fingergrass is a major weed in agricultural systems in northern Australia and has now spread to southern Australia. To better understand the biology of this emerging weed species, its growth, development, and seed biology were examined. Under field conditions in South Australia, seedlings that emerged after summer rainfall events required 1,200 growing degree days from emergence to mature seed production and produced 700 g m−2shoot biomass. Plants produced up to 1,000 seeds panicle−1and more than 40,000 seeds plant−1, with seed weight ranging from 0.36 to 0.46 mg. Harvested seeds were dormant for a period of about 2 mo and required 5 mo of after-ripening to reach 50% germination. Freshly harvested seed could be released from dormancy by pretreatment with 564 mM sodium hypochlorite for 30 min. Light significantly increased germination. Seed could germinate over a wide temperature range (10 to 40 C), with maximum germination at 15 to 25 C. At 20 to 25 C, 50% germination was reached within 2.7 to 3.3 d, and the predicted base temperature to germinate was 2.1 to 3.0 C. The osmotic potential and NaCl concentration required to inhibit germination by 50% were −0.16 to −0.20 MPa and 90 to 124 mM, respectively. Seedling emergence was highest (76%) for seeds present on soil surface and was significantly reduced by burial at 1 (57%), 2 (49%), and 5 cm (9%). Under field conditions, seeds buried in the soil persisted longer than those left on the soil surface, and low spring–summer rainfall increased seed persistence. This study provides important information on growth, development, and seed biology of feather fingergrass that will contribute to the development of a more effective management program for this weed species in Australia.

Weed Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
The D. Ngo ◽  
Peter Boutsalis ◽  
Christopher Preston ◽  
Gurjeet Gill

Windmillgrass is a major weed in agricultural systems in northern Australia, and it has now become more common in southern Australia. Because little information is available on the biology of this weed species in southern Australia, studies were conducted to investigate plant development and seed biology. Under irrigated field conditions in South Australia, windmillgrass required 748 to 786 growing degree days from emergence to mature seed production. Freshly harvested seed had low dormancy with 16% to 40% germination. Seeds required light exposure for germination and less than 2% germination was observed in complete darkness. Seed could germinate over a wide temperature range (10 to 40 C) with maximum germination at 20 to 25 C. At 25 to 30 C, 50% germination occurred within 27.3 to 45.5 h, and the predicted base temperature for germination of the two populations investigated ranged from 9.2 to 11.2 C. The sodium chloride concentration and osmotic potential required to inhibit germination by 50% were 51 to 73 mM and −0.27 MPa, respectively. Seedling emergence was completely inhibited by burial of seed, which is consistent with its absolute requirement for light exposure to begin germination. Under field conditions, there was no clear effect of burial depth on seed viability in the first 2 yr with average rainfall, and seeds were completely nonviable after 12 mo. However, in the third year, with low spring–summer rainfall, buried seeds (37% viability after 14 mo) persisted longer than those left on the soil surface (6% viability after 14 mo). This study provides important information on plant development and seed biology of windmillgrass that will contribute to the development of a management program for this weed species in southern Australia.


Weed Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel G. L. Kleemann ◽  
Gurjeet Gill

AbstractWinged sea lavender [Limonium lobatum(L.f. Chaz)] is emerging as a significant weed of field crops in southern Australia. Several environmental factors affecting germination and seedling recruitment were examined to provide a better understanding of the behavior of its seedbank. At maturity, weed seeds were dormant for a period of around 2 mo, but dormancy was easily broken with scarification or by pretreatment with 564 mM NaOCL for 30 min, which confirms the role of the seed coat in regulating seed germination. Exposure to light significantly increased germination. Seeds were able to germinate over a broad range of temperatures (5 to 30 C), with maximum germination (~92%) at temperatures between 10 and 30 C. At 20 to 25 C, 50% germination was reached within 1.3 to 2 d, and the predicted base temperature for germination of the two populations ranged from 1.4 to 3.9 C. The NaCl concentration required to inhibit germination by 50% was 230 mM, with some seeds capable of germination at salinity levels as high as 480 mM. These results indicated greater tolerance to salinity inL. lobatumthan many other Australian agricultural weed species previously investigated. Seedling emergence was the highest (51% to 57%) for seeds present on the soil surface and was significantly reduced by burial at 1 cm (≤11%) and 2 cm (≤2%), with no emergence at 5 cm. Under field conditions, seedling recruitment varied considerably among the three experimental sites. The level of seedling recruitment was negatively associated with rainfall received at the site, organic carbon (OC) level, and microbial biomass of the soil. Rapid decay of weed seeds in high-OC soils appears to be an important determinant of seedling recruitment in this species and could explain greater occurrence ofL. lobatumon soils with low OC and low microbial activity in low-rainfall areas of southern Australia. Furthermore, many such soils in southern Australia are affected by salinity, which would enableL. lobatumto be more competitive with crops and other weeds present at a site.


Weed Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney A. Stokes ◽  
Gregory E. MacDonald ◽  
Carrie Reinhardt Adams ◽  
Kenneth A. Langeland ◽  
Deborah L. Miller

Natalgrass is an invasive species that has become increasingly problematic in natural areas in Florida and other subtropical and tropical regions around the world. Natalgrass is a prolific seed producer, but little information is available regarding its seed biology and ecology. Research was conducted to determine levels of seed dormancy and to examine the effects of light, temperature, pH, water stress, and depth of burial on natalgrass seed germination. In addition, seed persistence under field conditions was examined both on the soil surface and while buried. Seeds appeared to undergo afterripening. Seed germination was not light dependent and occurred from 15 to 35 C, with optimum germination occurring at 20 to 35 C. Germination occurred at pH levels of 6 and 8 and was affected by water stress; no germination was observed at osmotic potentials less than −0.2 MPa. Seeds emerged from depths of at least 5 cm. Under field conditions, germination was reduced after burial; however, burial lengths of 3 to 15 mo did not result in differences in germination levels. Seedling numbers from seed deposits on the soil surface were greatly reduced after 1 mo, and no seedling emergence was observed after 4 mo.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 823-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Derakhshan ◽  
J. Gherekhloo

Specific knowledge about the dormancy, germination, and emergence patterns of weed species aids the development of integrated management strategies. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of several environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of Cyperus difformis. Germination of freshly harvested seeds was inhibited by darkness; however, when seeds were subsequently transferred to complete light they germinated readily. Our results showed that 2 wk of cold stratification overcome the light requirement for germination. Seeds of C. difformis were able to germinate over a broad range of temperatures (25/15, 30/20, 35/25, and 40/30 ºC day/night). The response of germination rate to temperature was described as a non-linear function. Based on model outputs, the base, the optimum and the ceiling temperatures were estimated as 14.81, 37.72 and 45 ºC, respectively. A temperature of 120 ºC for a 5 min was required to inhibit 50% of maximum germination. The osmotic potential and salinity required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination were -0.47 MPa and 135.57 mM, respectively. High percentage of seed germination (89%) was observed at pH=6 and decreased to 12% at alkaline medium (pH 9) pH. Seeds sown on the soil surface gave the greatest percentage of seedling emergence, and no seedlings emerged from seeds buried in soil at depths of 1 cm.


Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouhui Wei ◽  
Chaoxian Zhang ◽  
Xiangju Li ◽  
Hailan Cui ◽  
Hongjuan Huang ◽  
...  

Buffalobur is a noxious and invasive weed species native to North America. The influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of buffalobur were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. The germination of buffalobur seeds occurred at temperatures ranging from 12.5 to 45 C, with optimum germination attained between 25 and 35 C. Buffalobur seeds germinated equally well under both a 14-h photoperiod and continuous darkness; however, prolonged light exposure (≥ 16 h) significantly inhibited the seed germination. Buffalobur seed is rather tolerant to low water potential and high salt stress, as germination was 28 and 52% at osmotic potentials of −1.1 MPa and salinity level of 160 mM, respectively. Medium pH has no significant effect on seed germination; germination was greater than 95% over a broad pH range from 3 to 10. Seedling emergence was higher (85%) for seeds buried at a soil depth of 2 cm than for those placed on the soil surface (32%), but no seedlings emerged when burial depth reached 8 cm. Knowledge of germination biology of buffalobur obtained in this study will be useful in predicting the potential distribution area and developing effective management strategies for this species.


Weed Science ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Egley ◽  
R. D. Williams

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] (30, 125, 250 mg/L) in petri dishes had no effect on germination of prickly sida(Sida spinosaL.), velvetleaf(Abutilon theophrastiMedic), barnyardgrass [Echinocloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv.] and johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.] seeds, but additional experimentation indicated that glyphosate stimulated germination of redroot pigweed(Amaranthus retroflexusL.) seeds. Paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium ion) (30, 125, 250 mg/L) did not affect germination of the three broadleaf species, but inhibited johnsongrass and barnyardgrass germination. In the greenhouse, soil surface applications of glyphosate (1.1, 2.2, 9.0 kg/ha) did not significantly affect emergence of these five weed species when they were on or beneath the soil surface at time of treatment. Paraquat (same rates) did not affect broadleaf weed emergence but some rates inhibited grass weed emergence when the seeds were treated while on the soil surface. It is unlikely that normal field use rates of glyphosate will influence weed emergence; whereas paraquat may inhibit the emergence of some grass weeds if the herbicide contacts seeds on the soil surface.


Weed Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Werle ◽  
Lowell D. Sandell ◽  
Douglas D. Buhler ◽  
Robert G. Hartzler ◽  
John L. Lindquist

First- and second-year seedbank emergence of 23 summer annual weed species common to U.S. corn production systems was studied. Field experiments were conducted between 1996 and 1999 at the Iowa State University Johnson Farm in Story County, Iowa. In the fall of 1996 and again in 1997, 1,000 seeds for most species were planted in plastic crates. Seedling emergence was counted weekly for a 2-yr period following seed burial (starting in early spring). Soil temperature at 2 cm depth was estimated using soil temperature and moisture model software (STM2). The Weibull function was fit to cumulative emergence (%) on cumulative thermal time (TT), hydrothermal time (HTT), and day of year (DOY). To identify optimum base temperature (Tbase) and base matric potential (ψbase) for calculating TT or HTT, Tbaseand ψbasevalues ranging from 2 to 17 C and −33 to −1,500 kPa, respectively, were evaluated for each species. The search for the optimal model for each species was based on the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), whereas an extra penalty cost was added to HTT models. In general, fewer seedlings emerged during the first year of the first experimental run (approximately 18% across all species) than during the second experimental run (approximately 30%). However, second-year seedbank emergence was similar for both experimental runs (approximately 6%). Environmental effects may be the cause of differences in total seedling emergence among years. Based on the AIC criterion, for 17 species, the best fit of the model occurred using Tbaseranging from 2 to 15 C with four species also responding to ψbase= −750 kPa. For six species, a simple model using DOY resulted in the best fit. Adding penalty costs to AIC calculation allowed us to compare TT and HTT when both models behaved similarly. Using a constant Tbase, species were plotted and classified as early-, middle-, and late-emerging species, resulting in a practical tool for forecasting time of emergence. The results of this research provide robust information on the prediction of the time of summer annual weed emergence, which can be used to schedule weed and crop management.


Weed Science ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryse L. Leblanc ◽  
Daniel C. Cloutier ◽  
Katrine A. Stewart ◽  
Chantal Hamel

Studies were conducted to calibrate and validate a mathematical model previously developed to predict common lambsquarters seedling emergence at different corn seedbed preparation times. The model was calibrated for different types of soil by adjusting the base temperature of common lambsquarters seedling emergence to the soil texture. A relationship was established with the sand mineral fraction of the soil and was integrated into the model. The calibrated model provided a good fit of the field data and was accurate in predicting cumulative weed emergence in different soil types. The validation was done using data collected independently at a site located 80 km from the original experimental area. There were no differences between observed and predicted values. The accuracy of the model is very satisfactory because the emergence of common lambsquarters populations was accurately predicted at the 95% probability level. This model is one of the first to take into consideration seedbed preparation time and soil texture. This common lambsquarters emergence model could be adapted to model other weed species whose emergence is limited by low spring temperature.


Weed Science ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
David E. Johnson

Siam weed and coat buttons are among the most troublesome Asteraceae weed species of rainfed rice. The influence of various environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of these weeds was determined. Germination response of both species was greater at the warmer fluctuating temperatures (30/20 and 35/25 C) than at the colder temperatures (25/15 C). Light stimulated germination in both species; however, some seeds still germinated in the dark. Both species were moderately tolerant of salt and water stress, but Siam weed tolerated more stresses than coat buttons. At the soil surface, Siam weed and coat buttons emergence was 75 and 76%, respectively, but this declined rapidly with increasing soil depths. Neither species emerged from depths exceeding 3 cm. Seedling emergence and seedling dry matter of both species were greatly reduced with the addition of crop residue to the soil surface at rates equivalent to 4 to 6 t ha−1. The information gained in this study will be used to facilitate development of effective weed control programs.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 893
Author(s):  
Carlos Sousa-Ortega ◽  
Aritz Royo-Esnal ◽  
José María Urbano

The Phalaris genus includes annual weed species such as short-spiked canarygrass (Phalaris brachystachys Link.), little-seed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.) and hood canarygrass (Phalaris paradoxa L.), which are especially problematic in Spain; as such, there is a need to develop models to predict the timing of their emergence. Field experiments were conducted at two different locations during two (2006/07 and 2007/08) and three (from 2005/06 to 2007/08) growing seasons. In both locations, 500 seeds of each Phalaris species were sown each growing season, simulating rain-fed cereal field conditions. In addition, the models were validated with three, four and eight independent experiments for P. brachystachys, P. minor and P. paradoxa, respectively. The emergence period of the three Phalaris species lasted between 31 and 48 days after sowing (DAS), showing two main flushes. The three cardinal points for parametric and non-parametric models were established to be between −1 °C and 1 °C for base temperature, between 9.8 °C and 11.8 °C for optimal temperature and between 21.2 °C and 23.4 °C for ceiling temperature; base water potential was estimated to be between −1 and −1.1 MPa. Both parametric and non-parametric models obtained similar results and were successfully validated in 12 out of 15 independent experiments.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document