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Effects of Field Applications of Nitrate on Weed Seed Germination and Dormancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

R. S. Fawcett
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. and Plant Pathol., Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011
F. W. Slife
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. and Plant Pathol., Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011

Abstract

Application of 112 to 336 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate [NH4(NO3)] failed to affect population numbers of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.), or redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.). Common lambsquarters seeds harvested from NO3-treated plots were less dormant than control seeds. Seed germination in the laboratory increased from 3.0% for control seeds to 34.0% for seeds harvested from plots treated with 280 kg/ha N as NH4(NO3). Nitrate concentration in common lambsquarters seeds increased as nitrogen fertilization increased. Seeds from nonfertilized plots contained 18.7 μg/g NO3, while seeds from plots fertilized with 280 kg/ha N contained 126.3 μg/g. Adding exogenous NO3 to the germination medium brought the germination of most seed lots to a similar level, except for control seeds which germinated at a lower rate. In contrast to common lambsquarters, nitrogen fertilization did not greatly affect dormancy or NO3 accumulation in velvetleaf seeds. Exogenous NO3 failed to stimulate velvetleaf germination because dormant velvetleaf seeds did not imbibe.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1978 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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