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Germination behaviour of Cenchrus pauciflorus seeds across a range of salinities
Author(s) -
Zhang Z X,
Tian X,
Sun L
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
weed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-3180
pISSN - 0043-1737
DOI - 10.1111/wre.12243
Subject(s) - germination , salinity , weed , horticulture , biology , agronomy , chemistry , zoology , ecology
Summary Cenchrus pauciflorus (field sandbur) is an annual weed native to South America and Africa that has become an invasive plant in farmland and pastures around the globe. It forms two types of seeds that are different in shape and mass, defined as big seeds (M) and small seeds (P). This study examined effects of salinity and seed type on germination efficiency of C. pauciflorus . Increased concentration of salinity solutions (NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 and Na 2 CO 3 ) reduced germination rate and final germination percentage ( FGP ) of both seed types, while prolonging the mean final germination time ( T FG ). M seeds tolerated salinity levels below 400 mmol (NaCl), 350 mmol (Na 2 SO 4 ) and 300 mmol (Na 2 CO 3 ), while P seeds tolerated salinity levels below 350 mmol (NaCl), 250 mmol (Na 2 SO 4 ) and 150 mmol (Na 2 CO 3 ). Furthermore, M seeds were less sensitive than P seeds, confirmed via increased germination rate (61%, 42% and 40%), FGP (36%, 29% and 26%), and shorter T FG (37%, 19% and 16%) in NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 and Na 2 CO 3 solutions respectively. Moreover, the germination threshold values of M and P seeds were 426 and 365 mmol for NaCl, 354 and 264 mmol for Na 2 SO 4 and 308 and 149 mmol for Na 2 CO 3 respectively. These results add to our understanding of the germination strategy of different seed types of C. pauciflorus . This information on germination ecology may indicate a potential to invade regions with little or no salt stress.