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Influence of Afterripening Temperature and Endogenous Rhythms on Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) Germination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

D. C. Thill
Affiliation:
PPG Industries, Pullmam, WA (formerly Plant Physiol., Sci. Ed. Admin., Agric. Res., U.S. Dep. Agric., Dep. Agron. and Soils, Washington State Univ., Pullman)
R. D. Schirman
Affiliation:
Sci. Ed. Admin., Agric. Res., U.S. Dep. Agric., Dep. Agron and Soils, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164
A. P. Appleby
Affiliation:
Crop Sci. Dep., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR 97331

Abstract

Afterripening requirements and the possible occurrence of endogenously controlled germination rhythms in downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) were investigated in the laboratory. Afterripening temperatures from 0 to 50 C, maintained for periods of 4 to 28 days, had little effect on the percentage and rate of downy brome germination when seeds were incubated at 15 and 20 C. However, at 30 C germination temperature, the percentage and rate of germination were significantly increased by short periods (4 to 7 days) of afterripening at 50 C. Similar results occurred at 20 to 40 C afterripening temperatures after 14 to 28 days exposure. In general, high temperature afterripening conditions (40 to 50 C) initially increased downy brome germination at 30 C incubation temperature, but prolonged exposure tended to decrease germination. No endogenously controlled germination rhythms were observed in downy brome caryopses.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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