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Seed germination biology of sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana) and response of its seedlings to herbicides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2021

Bhagirath S. Chauhan Open the ORCID record for Bhagirath S. Chauhan [Opens in a new window] ,
Shane Campbell  and
Victor J. Galea
Bhagirath S. Chauhan*
Affiliation:
Professor, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFS), University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia; Adjunct Professor, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, Haryana125004, India
Shane Campbell
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer, SAFS, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland4343, Australia
Victor J. Galea
Affiliation:
Professor, SAFS, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland4343, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Bhagirath S. Chauhan, QAAFI and SAFS, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Sweet acacia [Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.] is a problematic thorny weed species in several parts of Australia. Knowledge of its seed biology could help to formulate weed management decisions for this and similar species. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hot water (scarification), alternating temperatures, light, salt stress, and water stress on seed germination of two populations of V. farnesiana and to evaluate the response of its young seedlings (the most sensitive developmental stage) to commonly available postemergence herbicides in Australia. Both populations responded similarly to all the environmental factors and herbicides; therefore, data were pooled over the populations. Seeds immersed in hot water at 90 C for 10 min provided the highest germination (88%), demonstrating physical dormancy in this species. Seeds germinated at a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures from 20/10 C (35%) to 35/25 C (90%), but no seeds germinated at 15/5 C. Germination was not affected by light, suggesting that seeds are nonphotoblastic and can germinate under a plant canopy or when buried in soil. Germination was not affected by sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations up to 20 mM, and about 50% of seeds could germinate at 160 mM NaCl, suggesting high salt tolerance ability. Germination was only 13% at −0.2 MPa osmotic potential, and no seeds germinated at −0.4 MPa, suggesting that V. farnesiana seeds may remain ungerminated until moisture conditions have become conducive for germination. A number of postemergence herbicides, including 2,4-D + picloram, glufosinate, paraquat, and saflufenacil, provided >85% control of biomass of young seedlings compared with the non-treated control treatment. Knowledge gained from this study will help to predict the potential spread of V. farnesiana in other areas and help to integrate herbicide use with other management strategies.

Keywords

Acaciaherbicide sensitivitylightsalt stressscarificationtemperaturewater stress
Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 69 , Issue 6 , November 2021 , pp. 681 - 686
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Weed Science Society of America

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: Hilary A. Sandler, University of Massachusetts

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