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Dormancy and Field Burial of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Seed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Tim R. Murphy ,
Billy J. Gossett  and
Joe E. Toler
Tim R. Murphy
Affiliation:
Agron. Soils Dep., Clemson, SC 29631
Billy J. Gossett
Affiliation:
Agron. Soils Dep., Clemson, SC 29631
Joe E. Toler
Affiliation:
Exp. Stat. Unit, Clemson, SC 29631
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Abstract

Seed dormancy and soil longevity characteristics of three weedy cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivars were investigated. Seed germination was maximum at 40 C; however, ‘Clay’ had greater germination than ‘Black’ or ‘Red Ripper’ cowpea at temperatures ≥ 20 C. Concentrated sulfuric acid soaks, hot (70 C)-water soaks, and piercing the seed coat promoted germination. Seed with an initial water content of 12.3% were stored at relative humidities ranging from 0 to 60% at 25 C. After 4 weeks of storage at relative humidities of 0 to 50%, seed water content varied from 4.6 to 11.4%. Germination and hard seed content was 11% or more and 89% or less, respectively, for seed with water content ranging from 6.9 to 11.4%. Except for seed with an initial water content of 6.9%, cowpea seed water content increased after 3 weeks of storage in a 70% relative humidity environment. Rehydration increased germination for seed with initial water content of 9.2% or more, but not for seed with initial water content of 8.4% or less. In mid-November 1981 and 1982, Black, Clay, Red Ripper, and sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L. # CASOB) seed were buried at soil depths of 2.5, 7.5, and 15 cm for 3, 6, and 9 months. Seed survival of Black and Red Ripper was similar to that of sicklepod; however, longevity of Clay seed was less than sicklepod. Survival was greater for seed buried in 1981 than in 1982 because of low seed water content of the 1981 seedlots.

Keywords

Seed germinationrelative humidityhard seedCassia obtusifoliaCASOB
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 34 , Issue 2 , March 1986 , pp. 260 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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