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The influence of straw disposal and cultivation regime on the population dynamics ofBromus sterilis
Author(s) -
FROUDWILLIAMS R. J.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1983.tb02749.x
Subject(s) - biology , germination , agronomy , seedling , population , straw , weed , plough , sociology , demography
SUMMARY The effects of straw‐burning and cultivation regime upon the population dynamics of a naturally‐occurring infestation of Bromus sterilis were investigated over a period of 11 months. Both grain and straw of the original crop were seriously contaminated with seeds of this species. An initial population of 12 635 seeds m ‐2 declined by 85% between July and late August in uncultivated stubble without straw‐burning, but only 44% of seeds gave rise to seedlings. A further 10% had produced seedlings by late December and another 5% emerged between February and April. By April no viable seed remained. Straw‐burning destroyed 97% of the ungerminated seeds on the soil surface and reduced seedling numbers by 94%. However, those seedlings which did survive formed many tillers and produced considerable quantities of seed. Shallow cultivation reduced the seed population by 34% and in April there were 47% fewer seedlings on these plots than on direct drilled ones. Ploughing to a depth of 20 cm eradicated the weed; and although buried seeds germinated, they failed to emerge. Seedlings emerging in spring failed to flower before harvest. Detailed laboratory investigation showed that although B. sterilis does not have a pronounced requirement for vernalisation, chilling did accelerate flowering, while long‐day photoperiods were required for panicle extension. Only germinated seeds responded to the vernalisation stimulus.