Rhizome depth: the critical factor in winter survival of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Johnson grass)

Abstract

Summary: Résumé: Zusammenfassung Two biotypes of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., (Johnson grass) one which overwinters and one which does not overwinter from rhizomes at the northern limit of their North American ranges, were compared for rhizome production, rhizome survival and physiological tolerance to cold. The two biotypes differed in both the amount and depth of rhizome production under field conditions, with the non‐overwintering biotype producing very few rhizomes 20 cm below the soil surface. Rhizome survival was clearly related to depth of burial for both biotypes. Survival was much reduced in the top 20 cm of soil and increased at greater depths to nearly 100% survival at depths of 40 to 50 cm. Differences in rhizome survival were apparent between the two biotypes and under the two climatic conditions tested, with greatly reduced survival of the overwintering biotype in the more extreme northern field plot. Similar levels of cold hardiness were observed in both hardened seedlings and rhizomes of the two biotypes. These levels were low and, in general, would not provide major protection against freezing temperatures. La profondeur des rhizomes; facteur critique de la siurvie hivernale de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Sorgho d'Alep) Deux biotypes de Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Sorgho d'Alep), l'un capable et l'autre incapable d'hiverner à l'état de rhizomes à la limite septentrionale de leurs aires nord‐américaines, ont été comparés pour leur production en rhizomes, la survie de ces rhizomes et la tolérance physiologique au froid. Les deux biotypes différaient à la fois par la quantité et le niveau de profondeur de leur production de rhizomes au champ :le biotype incapable d'hiverner produisait très peu de rhizomes à une profondeur de 20 cm. La survie des rhizomes était clairement reliée à la profondeur d'enfouissement pour les deux biotypes. La survie était réduite dans les premiers 20 cm de sol et augmentait avec la profondeur jusqu'à presque 100%à des profondeurs de 40 à 50 cm. Des différences de survie des rhizomes étaient apparentes entre les deux biotypes sous les deux conditions climatiques étudiées, le biotype capable d'hiverner présentant un taux de survie fortement réduit dans la parcelle expérimentale située le plus au Nord. Des niveaux similaires d'endurcissement au froid ont été observés dans des plantules et des rhizomes endurcis des deux biotypes. Ces niveaux étaient bas et en général ne fournissaient pas de protection majeure contre le gel. Tiefenlage der Rhizome: der kritische Faktor fur das Ueberleben von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. während des Winters Zwei Biotypen von Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. von der nördlichen Grenze ihres Verbreitungsgebietes in N‐Amerika wurden in Bezug auf Rhizomproduktion, Ueberleben ihrer Rhizome und physiologisch bedingte Kälteresistenz miteinander verglichen. Der eine der beiden Biotype überwintert nicht, der andere überwintert, d.h. reproduziert neues Wachstum aus den bestehen‐den Rhizomen. Die beiden Typen zeigten unter Feldbedingungen Unterschiede in...

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