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Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) dispersal, viability, and germination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Ballard L. Wood ,
Kirk C. McDaniel  and
Dennis Clason
Ballard L. Wood
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Range Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Dennis Clason
Affiliation:
Experimental Statistics Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003
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Abstract

Broom snakeweed achene dispersal was monitored by placing surface-level traps outwards in the cardinal directions from 12 plants and collecting the achenes weekly or biweekly from September 1993 until seeds were no longer retained by the plants after 42 wk. About 50% of the achenes dispersed between October and December. Especially high numbers of achenes were dislodged during periods of intense winter winds and rains, with 78% of the seed placed into the east tray and 86% falling within 50 cm of the parent plant. Achene production averaged 3,928 (± 1,146) per plant in 1993 and 2,036 (± 987) per plant in 1994. Achenes collected over time directly from the inflorescence and achenes stored in nylon packets on the soil surface averaged 82% viability during fall and winter. Achene viability declined rapidly in late spring, and few remained viable before the next seed crop. Greenhouse experiments compared the influence of water application interval and water amount on broom snakeweed germination and seedling survival. Treatments consisted of 4 water intervals: daily, 5-d, 10-d, and 15-d intervals; and 4 water amounts: field capacity (1/1 fc), 3/4 fc, 1/2 fc, and 1/4 fc. Germination was 52% at daily 1/1 fc, and no seed germinated at daily 1/4 fc. Data suggest that optimum germination occurs when soils are maintained at a minimum soil matric potential (Ψm) > −180 kPa for at least 4 d. Optimum Ψm for seedling survival appears to range between −300 and −900 kPa, while seedling mortality would generally be expected with a Ψm of > −1800 kPa.

Keywords

Seed longevityseed ecologyseed retentionseedling survivalsoil seed reservesoil matric potentialGUESABroom snakeweed, Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby GUESABlue grama, Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Griffiths
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 45 , Issue 1 , February 1997 , pp. 77 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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