Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T00:25:39.549Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Induction of Germination in Dormant Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Seeds by Wounding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Shi-Jean S. Sung
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061
Gerald R. Leather
Affiliation:
Foreign Disease – Weed Sci. Res., Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric., Bldg. 1301, Ft. Detrick, Frederick, MD 21701
Maynard G. Hale
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061

Abstract

Various surgical cuts were used to induce germination of dormant barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. # ECHCG] caryopses. Greater percentages of germination were obtained when the cuts were made closer to the embryo. However, removal of only the caryopsis coat covering the coleoptile or midembryo axis induced up to 10% germination compared to 70% germination for caryopses with the coat covering the radicle removed. Dormancy of barnyardgrass was not caused by the inability of the embryo to imbibe, imposed mechanical resistance of the caryopsis coat, or presence of an inhibitor. A wounding response, other than ethylene production, by the cut caryopses was possibly responsible for stimulating germination. Similar responses to cutting observed in afterripened caryopses were consistent with the suggested hypothesis.

Type
Physiology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Abeles, F. B. 1969. Abscission: Role of cellulase. Plant Physiol. 44:447452.Google Scholar
2. Arai, M. and Miyahara, M. 1960. Physiological and ecological studies on barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi). I. On the primary dormancy of seed: (1) Relation of the seed covering to dormancy, and effects of temperature and oxygen on breaking dormancy (in Japanese, English summary). Crop Sci. Soc. Jap. Proc. 29:130132.Google Scholar
3. Brod, G. 1968. Studies on the biology and ecology of barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. Weed Res. 8:115127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Dawson, J. H. 1963. Effects of EPTC on barnyardgrass seeds. Weeds 11:184186.Google Scholar
5. Hoagland, D. R. and Arnon, D. I. 1950. The water culture method for growing plants without soil. Univ. Calif. Agric. Exp. Stn. Circ. 347.Google Scholar
6. Holm, L. 1975. Weeds and water in world food production. Weed Sci. 25:338342.Google Scholar
7. Hsiao, A. I., McIntyre, G. I., and Hanes, J. A. 1983. Seed dormancy in Avena fatua. I. Induction of germination by mechanical injury. Bot. Gaz. 144:217222.Google Scholar
8. Jones, J. F. and Hall, M. A. 1981. The effect of ethylene on quantitative and qualitative aspects of respiration during the breaking of dormancy of Spergula arvensis L. seeds. Ann. Bot. 48:291300.Google Scholar
9. Kennedy, R. A., Barrett, S.C.H., VanderZee, D., and Rumpho, M. E. 1980. Germination and seedling growth under anaerobic conditions in Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyardgrass). Plant Cell Environ. 3:243248.Google Scholar
10. Sung, S. S., Leather, G. R., and Hale, M. G. 1987. Development and germination of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) seeds. Weed Sci. 35:211215.Google Scholar
11. Timson, J. 1965. New method of recording germination data. Nature 207:216217.Google Scholar
12. Yang, S. F. and Pratt, H. K. 1978. The physiology of ethylene in wounded plant tissues. Pages 595622 in Kahl, G., ed. Biochemistry of Wounded Plant Tissues. de Gruyter, Berlin.Google Scholar