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Dynamics of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) Achenes in Field and Laboratory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Donald B. Joley
Affiliation:
Calif. Dep. Food & Agric., 3288 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Donald M. Maddox
Affiliation:
West. Reg. Res. Ctr., Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric., Plant Prot., 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710
David M. Supkoff
Affiliation:
Calif. Dep. Food & Agric., 3288 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Aubrey Mayfield
Affiliation:
West. Reg. Res. Ctr., Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric., Plant Prot., 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710

Abstract

Studies were conducted to compare changes in germinability and/or viability of yellow starthistle achenes buried (in packets) in soil or stored dry in the laboratory, and to determine the rate of achene depletion from a soil seed bank. In one study, after 72 mo, 0 to 96% germinable achenes remained in packets buried 5 cm deep, and a mean above 99% after dry storage. In another study, total live (germinable plus viable) achenes declined from 100% at harvest to 77.6% after 24 mo of burial. Germinable pappus-bearing achenes remaining in packets increased with depth of burial. After 12 mo of burial, maximum survival of achenes occurred at depths of 5 cm or more. The density of yellow starthistle achenes and seedlings in a natural soil seed bank declined, when achene rain was prevented, to 3.9 and 1.1% of initial density, respectively, after 36 mo. Decline was attributed primarily to seedling emergence and achene death. Achene density in the upper 2.5 cm of soil appeared to be a good predictor of seedling emergence after autumn rains.

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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