The Influence of Environmental Factors on Seed Germination of Polygonum perfoliatum L.: Implications for Management

Polygonum perfoliatum L. is an aggressive vine, currently invading the Black Sea region, Turkey. However, information about the seed germination biology of this species is scanty. The objective of the current study was to determine the seed germination biology of three naturalized populations of this species. Chemical scarification with 98% sulfuric acid for 30 min followed by cold-wet stratification at 4 °C for 4 weeks effectively released seed dormancy in tested populations. Seeds of all populations required a 12 h photoperiod for the highest germination, while germination under continuous dark and light remained similar. The seeds were able to germinate under a wide range of constant (5–40 °C) and alternating temperatures, pH (3–11), osmotic potential (0 to −1.4 MPa) and salinity (0–500 mM NaCl). However, the peak germination was observed under 20 °C constant and 20/15 °C alternating day/night temperature, and pH 6.8. Seeds of all populations were able to withstand 200 mM salinity and −0.6 MPa osmotic potential. Increasing seed burial depth initially stimulated seedling emergence and then a sharp decline was observed for the seeds buried below >2 cm depth. More than 90% of the seeds were unable to emerge when buried >6 cm depth. Polygonum perfoliatum has a large potential for range expansion; therefore, immediate management of the naturalized populations is warranted. This weed species in agricultural fields can be managed by burying the seeds in deeper soil layers (6 cm), while post-emergence management strategies need to be developed for roadside populations.

Variable Seed Viability of Mile-a-Minute Weed (Devil's Tearthumb,Persicaria perfoliata)

Mile-a-minute weed or devil's tearthumb (Polygonum perfoliatum, syn. =Persicaria perfoliata) is an invasive annual vine in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States that reproduces solely through seeds. Our study aimed to identify how mile-a-minute seed viability is affected by time of year and the maturity of the fruit surrounding the achene. Full-sized immature (green) and mature (blue) fruits were collected from five field sites every 2 wk over a 3 mo period, and seed viability was assessed using a triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TZ) assay. At the onset of seed production in mid-August, 35% of seeds from immature fruits were viable. This percentage increased steadily, peaking at 84% in late September before declining at some sites around the time of the first frost. In contrast nearly all seeds with mature fruits (96%) were viable at all collection dates. Thus land managers who apply physical or chemical control methods for mile-a-minute weed should do so before the onset of any seed production and not simply before fruit maturation. If it is necessary to apply control methods after fruit set, it should be done as early in the season as possible.