Germination ecology of Chenopodium album L. and implications for weed management

Abstract

Chenopodium album L. is a troublesome annual species in various cropping systems, and a sound knowledge of the ecological response of C. album germination to environmental factors would suggest suitable management strategies for inhibiting its spread. Preliminary laboratory-based research was conducted to investigate germination and emergence requirements of C. album under various environmental conditions (e.g., photoperiods, constant temperature, salinity, moisture, soil pH, burial depth, and oat crop residue). Results showed C. album seeds were found to be photoblastic, with only 13% germination in darkness. The maximum germination (94%) of C. album occurred at an optimal temperature of 25°C, and the depressive effect of other temperatures on germination was more severe at lower rather than higher temperatures. Seed germination was suitably tolerant of salinity and osmotic potential, with germination observed at 200 mM NaCl (37.0%) and -0.8 MPa (20%), respectively. Germination was relatively uniform (88–92%) at pH levels ranging from 4 to 10. The maximum germination of C. album was observed on the soil surface, with no or rare emergence of seeds at a burial depth of 2 cm or under 7000 kg ha-1 oat straw cover, respectively. Information provided by this study will help to develop more sustainable and effective integrated weed management strategies for the control of C. album, including (i) a shallow-tillage procedures to bury weed seeds in conventional-tillage systems and (ii) oat residue retention or coverage on the soil surface in no-tillage systems.

Weed Ecology: Insights for Successful Management Strategies: A Review

“…Complete inhibition of germination occurred at -1.0 MPa (Opena et al, 2014). Similarly, in Chenopodium album, a decrease in germination from 94% to 5.5% was observed as the osmotic potential decreased from 0 to -1 MPa (Tang et al, 2022). These findings highlight the sensitivity of these species to reduced osmotic potential and indicate their preference for conditions with higher water availability for successful germination.…”

“…(Opena et al, 2014). Very less seeds of Chenopodium album germinated under completely dark situation, however, germination increased as plants were provided with 12-hour photoperiod (Tang et al, 2022). Germination of weed seeds that light stimulated may pose severe challenge in no-till systems, due to a substantial portion of the weed seed bank remaining near the soil surface, where it is exposed to light.…”

“…Chenopodium album had higher germination when seeds were at surface or very shallow depth (Tang et al, 2022) and thus even shallow tillage that would turn the soil and place the seeds at any soil depth more than 5 cm would inhibit germination. Seeds that require light for germination would remain dormant and, over time, may be subject to predation or decay if buried in the soil.…”

Genetic variation of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) suggests multiple independent introductions into Iran

“…Factors that facilitate rapid and efficient colonization of new habitats include: wide environmental tolerance, phenotypic flexibility, inbreeding coefficient or ability to undergo asexual reproduction, efficient dispersal abilities, high relative growth rate, and high ability to compete ( te Beest et al., 2012 ). The Amaranthaceae weeds redroot pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and lamb’s quarters ( Chenopodium album L.) are problematic cosmopolitan weeds that inhabit a wide variety of habitats across the globe ( Horak and Loughin, 2000 ; CABI, 2020 ; Khan et al., 2022 ; Tang et al., 2022 ). Even when grown in common garden conditions they exhibit significant morphological and biochemical diversity in reproductive and metabolic traits that are important for successful establishment and survival in new locations ( Alebrahim et al., 2012 ; Hamidzadeh et al., 2021 ).…”

Effects of nozzle type and adjuvant selection on common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control using nicosulfuron in corn

“…Especially common lambsquarters has become dominant in corn fields in Serbia in recent years, although herbicide resistance has not yet been reported in this species. This increase in abundance is likely caused by warmer temperature conditions in spring favoring common lambsquarters germination and emergence (Tang et al 2022). Together with johnsongrass, common lambsquarters constitute up to 80% to 90% of the weed population in many spring crops in Serbia, such as soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.…”