False chamomile seed germination requirements and its enhancement by ethephon and nitrate

• Published in: Weed science Vol. 39; no. 3
• Main Authors: Mekki, M. (Univ. Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada), Leroux, G.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.1991
• Subjects: BIOLOGIA; BIOLOGIE; CONTENIDO DE AGUA EN EL SUELO; CONTROL QUIMICO; DESHERBAGE; DORMANCE; DORMICION; ESCARDA; ETEFON; ETHEPHON; FACTEUR DU MILIEU; FACTEUR EDAPHIQUE; FACTORES AMBIENTALES; FACTORES EDAFICOS; GERMINACION; GERMINATION; GRAINE; LONGEVITE DES SEMENCES; LUMIERE; LUTTE CHIMIQUE; LUZ; MALEZAS; MATRICARIA; MAUVAISE HERBE; NITRATE DE POTASSIUM; NITRATO DE POTASIO; PROFONDEUR; PROFUNDIDAD; SEMILLA; TEMPERATURA DEL AIRE; TEMPERATURE DE L'AIR; TENEUR EN EAU DU SOL; VIABILIDAD DE LA SEMILLA
• ISSN: 0043-1745; 1550-2759
• DOI: 10.1017/S0043174500073100

Dormant weed seeds are difficult to kill and, with the exception of soil sterilization methods, current weed control techniques are not effective against dormant weed seeds. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature, light, soil moisture, burial depth, ethephon, and potassium nitrate (KNO3), and their interactions on the germination of false chamomile seeds under controlled conditions. False chamomile was photoblastic and thermophilic and germinated rapidly within the first 4 days of incubation under all conditions. Regression analysis indicated that ethephon and KNO3 had quadratic effects on false chamomile germination. Ethephon enhanced germination more than KNO3. There was a linear reduction in germination with increased storage time, and it is projected that zero germination should occur after 9 yr of storage at room temperature. Soil moisture had a positive linear effect and a positive interaction with ethephon on false chamomile germination. Very little germination occurred when seeds were buried 5 cm deep even with high soil moisture