Seed dormancy characteristics in six weed species as affected by after-ripening temperatures and field conditions

Weed Seed Dormancy: The Ecophysiology and Survival Strategies

“…Amaranthus retroflexus, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Setaria glauca seeds germinated better in the dark, while Chenopodium album and Digitaria sanguinalis germinated better in the light. These differences, however, were less evident for seeds stored at temperatures above 20°C, which indicates an interaction between the temperature previously experienced by the seed and its response to light conditions during germination [11].…”

“…Germination requires moisture, oxygen, temperature, and maybe light in photoblastic seeds. Therefore, it proceeds whenever seeds are laid on a safe site to meet particular sets of environmental conditions which, presumably, are able to support not only germination itself but also to insure the survival and success of the offspring [11].…”

“…This, however, is varied for different weed species. Chavarria [11] reported that under conventional tillage, Amaranthus retroflexus and Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. seeds tend to stay in primary dormancy or develop secondary dormancy, if they become buried; further soil disturbance promotes germination since seeds are exposed to light.…”

“…seeds, but they may overcome this dormancy without further soil disturbance. Burying seeds of Polygonum pensylvanicaum L., in contrast, may result in an enhanced germination after experiencing low temperatures during winter, while non-geminating seeds of this species may enter into a secondary dormancy as induced by increasing temperatures [11]. Under no-tillage systems, seeds of all species except Polygonum pensylvanicaum may acquire an increased germination capacity in response to exposure to conditions such as light.…”