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Biology of Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum) an Introduced Weed in Florida

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

J. Jeffrey Mullahey
Affiliation:
Wildlife and Range Sci. Dep., Southwest Florida Res. Educ. Cent., Univ. Florida, IFAS, P.O. Drawer 5127. Immokalee, FL 33934
John Cornell
Affiliation:
Dep. Stat., Univ. Florida, IFAS, Gainesville, FL 32611

Abstract

Understanding the biology of tropical soda apple (TSA) is necessary to develop effective control strategies. Tropical soda apple seedling emergence, growth, and regeneration from roots were evaluated. Plant growth (height, leaf number, flowering) was monitored over 110 d in a greenhouse experiment. Emerged seedlings required 83 d to reach a height of 40 cm and 108 d to flower. Total nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations in TSA root and stem fractions, monitored monthly for 1 yr, were highest in December (35%-root, 18%-stem). Seedling emergence as affected by planting depth (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 cm) and regeneration from root segments (7.5, 15 cm long) placed on the soil surface and 5 and 10 cm deep were studied in separate greenhouse experiments. Seedling emergence was lowest (P < 0.05) for seed placed on the soil surface (6.9%) and at a depth of 8 cm (19.4%) with the highest level of TSA emergence predicted at 63% for seed planted 3.6 cm deep. Regeneration from roots was higher (P < 0.05) for the 15-cm root segments than for the 7.5-cm segments while depth of root segment placement did not affect regeneration. Weed control strategies should involve cultural and chemical practices that affect both roots and seeds.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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