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Title: LEAFY SPURGE SEED DORMANCY

Author
item Foley, Michael

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/21/2001
Publication Date: 2/8/2002
Citation: Foley, M.E. 2002. Leafy spurge seed dormancy. [Abstract]. Weed Science Society of America Meeting. 52:15.

Interpretive Summary: Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a noxious deep-rooted perennial weed in rangelands, right-of-ways, and recreational areas in the Northern Great Plains. Leafy spurge reproduces sexually by seed and asexually through adventitious vegetative buds on the crown and root. In contrast with research on dormancy in vegetative root buds, little research has been done to evaluate dormancy of leafy spurge seeds. Leafy spurge seeds persist in the soil for about 8 yr which suggests seed dormancy and longevity. Removing the seed hull and endosperm surrounding the embryo axis leads to a rapid onset and rate of germination compared to intact seeds. Addition of 100 mM fructose to the germination buffer has a small but negative effect on the germination rate of dehulled seeds and excised embryos. Afterripening seeds under warm-moist conditions for 2 to 12 wk enhanced the rate of germination compared with seeds afterripening under warm-dry, cool-dry, cool-moist, and untreated seeds. After 28 d, seeds that were afterripened under warm-moist conditions for 12 wk displayed 64% germination. Germination was 50% less in the control and for seed afterripened under other conditions.

Technical Abstract: Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a noxious deep-rooted perennial weed in rangelands, right-of-ways, and recreational areas in the Northern Great Plains. Leafy spurge reproduces sexually by seed and asexually through adventitious vegetative buds on the crown and root. In contrast with research on dormancy in vegetative root buds, little research has been done to evaluate dormancy of leafy spurge seeds. Leafy spurge seeds persist in the soil for about 8 yr which suggests seed dormancy and longevity. Removing the seed hull and endosperm surrounding the embryo axis leads to a rapid onset and rate of germination compared to intact seeds. Addition of 100 mM fructose to the germination buffer has a small but negative effect on the germination rate of dehulled seeds and excised embryos. Afterripening seeds under warm-moist conditions for 2 to 12 wk enhanced the rate of germination compared with seeds afterripening under warm-dry, cool-dry, cool-moist, and untreated seeds. After 28 d, seeds that were afterripened under warm-moist conditions for 12 wk displayed 64% germination. Germination was 50% less in the control and for seed afterripened under other conditions.