Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the differences in germination and growth of Quamoclit coccinea Moench under various temperatures, seeding depths, and levels of shading and soil moisture for effective weed management. Seed dormancy of Q. coccinea Moench was over 1 year; best results were obtained when seeds were soaked in sulfuric acid for 15 minutes in order to break the dormancy. Germination rates of Q. coccinea Moench ranged from 69 to 73% at 25-35°C and 26% at 15°C. The germination rates ranged from 70-84% at 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 cm of seeding depths. In addition, the germination rates were 7% and 13% at 12 cm and 15 cm of seeding depths, respectively, and showed normal growth at the both seeding depths. Q. coccinea Moench showed a high germination rate regardless of shading levels, but shoot fresh weight varied depending on the level of shading as follows: 20%>no shading=shading 35%>shading 50%>shading 75%=shading 90%. Q. coccinea Moench did not germinate when soil had a saturation rate of either 30% or 100%. However, 60-83% of seeds germinated with optimal growth when soil had saturation rates of 60% and 80%.
Acknowledgements
This work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ01253303)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Figures & Tables
Mesocotyle of Quamoclit coccinea Moench grown under different seeding depths in growth chamber.
