Effect of Environmental Factors on the Germination and Emergence of Erodium cicutarium

Thi Hien Le1   Taehyun Oh1   Aung Bo Bo1   WeiQiang Jia1   Kwang Min Cho2   Kee Woong Park1,*   

1Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University 34134, Daejeon, Korea
2Daeseung Bio Farm Research Center 34127, Daejeon 34127, Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and seed biology of Erodium cicutarium in Chungnam province of Korea. E. cicutarium normally occurred in pastures, roadsides, and crop fields. During a whole year after harvest, E. cicutarium seed germination increased with increasing storage time. No germination was found until 60 days after harvest, and began to germinate 90 days after harvest and got reaching full germination 300 days after harvest. The optimum germination temperature was 20℃ and soaking in the sulfuric acid for 20 minutes was the most suitable method to break seed dormancy. Germination of E. cicutarium seeds was decreased by increasing NaCl concentrations. Up to 10 mM of NaCl did not affect E. cicutarium seed germination and less than 20% of seeds germinated at 160 mM of NaCl. Approximately, 78% of seeds emerged at 0.5-2 cm of sowing depth but the seeds did not emerge at a burial depth greater than 4 cm. These results will be useful to develop integrated exotic weed management in the E. cicutarium infested area in Korea.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1.Map of survey sites in Chungnam province of Korea. The star in a circle symbol in the map refers the place where exists (1) N36°45'56.1'', E126°33'46.7'': Haeun-ro, Unsan-myeon, Sosan; (2) N36°41'32.6'', E126°30'28.3'': 295-27 Sinjeong-ri, Gobuk-myeon, Sosan; (3) N36°41'39.5'', E126°31'17.6'': 864-3 Namjeong-ri, Gobuk-myeon, Sosan;