Germination of Solanum nigrum L. (Black Nightshade) in Response to Different Abiotic Factors

Abstract

<jats:p>ABSTRACT: Solanum nigrum L. (black nightshade), an annual to short-lived perennial weed, has become a problem weed in farming systems in central China. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the influence of various abiotic factors on seed germination of black nightshade to develop effective weed control programs. Seeds germinated at a range of constant temperatures from 15 to 30 oC, but no germination occurred at temperatures below 10 oC or above 35 oC. Seeds also germinated at alternating temperature regimes from 15/5 to 40/30 oC, with maximum germination (&gt; 93.5%) at the alternating temperatures of 25/15 and 30/20 oC. Germination decreased as osmotic potential became more negative, and no germination was observed at ≤ -0.8 MPa. Moreover, germination was reduced by saline and alkaline stresses and no germination occurred at ≥ 200 mM NaCl or ≥ 150 mM NaHCO3 concentrations. Seed germination was not significantly affected by pH values from 5 to 10. Seedling emergence was significantly affected by burial depth with maximum emergence (93.1%) at 1 cm depth.</jats:p>

Temperature and Light Effects on Germination Behaviour of African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Seeds

“…At lower temperatures, no germination occurred in both cultivars. This is consistent with other reports for Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum nigrum, where seeds failed to germinate at low temperatures (5-10C) (Abdel et al, 2016;Dong et al 2019). This observation confirms that the African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) as related to the commonly cultivated relative (Solanum melongena L.) is a warm tropical crop and requires relatively warmer environment for germination, characterized by slow germination rates (Chen and Li, 1996).…”

“…Abdel et al, (2016) later concluded that the optimal temperature for tomato is 25C for maximum germination. Similarly, Solanum nigrum failed to germinate at higher temperatures of 35 and 40C (Dong et al, 2019).…”

“…Similarly, Cutti and Kulckyzynski (2016) reported maximum germination (86-95%) for S. torvum at 20/30 under 16/8 hours light and dark periods. Torres-Gonzalez (2019) and Dong et al, (2019) concluded that alternating temperatures of 25/15C and 30/20C, gives maximum germination for Solanum betaceum and Solanum nigrum respectively. In a non-dormant seed, temperature alternations may accelerate germination by regulating the balance of growth inhibitors and promoter hormones (Copeland and McDonald, 2001;Ferreira and Borghetti, 2004).…”

“…At low temperatures (5-10C) seed germination was inhibited for Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum nigrum but responded to germination when temperatures increased to 15°C and above (Abdel et al, 2016;Dong et al 2019). Torres-Gonzalez (2019) also recorded low germination at lower temperatures in studying Solanum betaceum and S. quitoense.…”

Germination response of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) to temperature and the establishment of a thermal time model

“…Previous studies showed that base temperature and ceiling temperature for the germination of S. nigrum populations from Sweden were 18 and 34 C, respectively (Taab and Andersson 2009). For S. nigrum populations from Hebei in China, the constant temperature range for seed germination is between 15 and 30 C (Dong et al 2020). The optimum temperature range for germination of S. nigrum for populations from India was 26 to 30 C (Suthar et al 2009).…”