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Transient Seed Bank of Camelina Contributes to a Low Weedy Propensity in Western Canadian Cropping Systems
Author(s) -
Walsh Kimberly D.,
Raatz Lisa L.,
Topinka Keith C.,
Hall Linda M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2013.03.0142
Subject(s) - camelina , camelina sativa , biology , agronomy , soil seed bank , weed , fecundity , persistence (discontinuity) , crop , germination , population , demography , geotechnical engineering , sociology , engineering
Camelina [ Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz.] is an oilseed currently being developed for production of industrial bioproducts. To determine whether camelina is persistent or weedy in agricultural areas experiments were conducted in 2008 through 2011. A three‐part study quantified camelina seed loss at the time of harvest, persistence of seed in the soil, and density and persistence of volunteer populations in subsequent crops. In this small‐seeded crop, seed losses at harvest ranged from 1202 to 43,430 viable seeds m −2 (12.0 to 434.3 kg ha −1 ). Viable seed persisted less than 15 mo at all depths, sites, and years. Seeds persisted longer on the soil surface while seed buried at 3 and 10 cm depleted more rapidly. The days to 50% seed extinction (EX 50 ) ranged from 25 d for all burial depths at one site in 2009 to 66 d for surface seeds in 2008. Eleven commercial fields planted to camelina in 2009 were surveyed for the presence and persistence of volunteer populations throughout the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Initial surveys showed variable densities (9 to 4839 plants m −2 ); however, populations sharply declined over time and were nearly extinct after 2 yr under conventional production practices. While camelina has high fecundity and large seed losses at harvest, it has limited seed bank persistence and is unlikely to become a weed of agricultural areas.