No abstract

A b s t r a c tThe shaggy soldier [Galinsoga ciliata (Rafin) S. F. Blake], family Asteraceae] is an invasive species that poses a growing threat to crop production. This annual plant produces heteromorphic achenes in a capitulum type inflorescence. The objective of this study was to compare selected morphological and phenological parameters and the success of generative reproduction in plants developed from peripheral and central achenes of the capitulum. The somatic variability of G. ciliata diaspores contributed to differences in the growth rates, development and fertility of the resulting populations. The progeny of central diaspores developed at a slower rate than the individuals derived from peripheral achenes, but at the end of their life cycle, the offspring of dimorphic achenes formed homogenous groups as regards height values. On average, the initial phenophases of G. ciliata plants derived from central achenes began one day later, and they entered the flowering stage eight days later than the individuals developed from peripheral seeds. At the initial growth stage (experimental day 65 to 83), the progeny of central achenes produced fewer capitula. On day 133, the individual fertility of the plants derived from central diaspores was 10% higher on average in comparison with the offspring of peripheral achenes.

A b s t r a c tVicia hirsuta (L.) Gray S.F. (tiny vetch) is a common and persistent segetal weed. Tiny vetch seeds and pods reach different stages of maturity during the crop harvest season. Some seeds that mature before cereal harvest are shed in the field and deposited in the soil seed bank, while others become incorporated into seed material.The objective of this study was to describe selected aspects of tiny vetch seed ecology: to determine the rate of individual reproduction of vetch plants growing in winter and spring grain crops and to evaluate the germination of seeds at different stages of maturity, subject to storage conditions.The seeds and pods of V. hirsuta were sorted according to their development stages at harvest and divided into two groups. The first group was stored under laboratory conditions for two months. In the autumn of the same year, the seeds were subjected to germination tests. The remaining seeds were stored in a storeroom, and were planted in soil in the spring. The germination rate was evaluated after 8 months of storage.Potential productivity (developed pods and flowers, fruit buds) was higher in plants fruiting in winter wheat than in spring barley. Vetch plants produced around 17-26% more pods (including cracked, mature, greenish-brown and green pods) and around 25% less buds in winter wheat than in spring barley.Immature seeds were characterized by the highest germination capacity. Following storage under laboratory conditions and stratification in soil, mature seeds germinated at a rate of several percent. After storage in a storeroom, seeds at all three development stages broke dormancy at a rate of 72-75%. The high germination power of tiny vetch seeds stored in a storeroom indicates that this plant can be classified as an obligatory speirochoric weed species.

No abstract

Heteromorphic achenes are formed within each capitulum of Galinsoga ciliata (Rafin) S.F. Blake. We examined (1) the effects of the duration of dry storage on germination and (2) the effect of burial in soil on viability and germination of heteromorphic diaspores. Fresh harvested peripheral achenes remained dormant, while central achenes germinated at 60%. Both achene types became non-dormant after one month of dry storage. In successive months of dry storage, peripheral achenes demonstrated a higher germination percentage than central achenes. The peripheral and central achenes showed similar temperature requirements during dry storage. A similar germination pattern was observed in both achene types, with a germination peak in March (96% of peripheral achenes at 12, 26 and 34^oC; 90% of central achenes at 26 and 34^oC). The germination capacity deteriorated over time. After 19 months of dry storage, both achene morphs failed to germinate at 12oC. At a 26^o and 34^oC, the same group of achenes continued to germinate at a relatively high level. After six and seven months of soil storage, 90-95% of both achene types remained alive. Dimorphic achenes were characterized by similar germination percentage (89-99%) at all temperature intervals, whereas peripheral achenes exhumed in May were the fastest to germinate. After 18 months of storage in soil (successive growing season), most of the harvested achenes were dead. The studied achenes did not form a permanent seed bank