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Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) seed dormancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael E. Foley
Michael E. Foley*
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, Biosciences Research Laboratory, Plant Science Research, Fargo, ND 58105-5674; foleym@fargo.ars.usda.gov
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Abstract

Leafy spurge is a herbaceous perennial weed that reproduces asexually through adventitious vegetative buds and sexually by seeds. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 8 yr. The objectives of this research were to determine whether the seed coat and endosperm restrict germination and to assess whether afterripening treatments affect germinability. Germination of nonafterripened intact seeds was 30% after 28 d of incubation. Afterripening seeds for 12 wk under warm moist conditions provided a twofold stimulation to 58% germination after 21 d compared with the control and three other afterripening treatments. Afterripening under warm moist conditions for an additional 12 wk provided nearly complete germination within 7 to 21 d, but seeds harvested in year 2000 also responded in the same way to cool moist conditions. The removal of seed coat (dehulled) and removal of endosperm surrounding the embryonic axis in dehulled seeds led to rapid germination, approaching 80 to 90% in 5 d. Fructose did not enhance germination of dehulled seeds or embryonic axes. Thus, leafy spurge displays coat-imposed seed dormancy that can be overcome by afterripening under moist conditions.

Keywords

Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. EPHESAfterripeninggerminationweed seed dormancy
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 52 , Issue 1 , February 2004 , pp. 74 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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