Effect of ensiling on the viability of weed seeds

Zahnley, J.W.; Fitch, J.B.

Effect of ensiling on the viability of weed seeds

1941

Zahnley, J.W. | Fitch, J.B.

1. Five sets of 100 seeds each of 11 species of weeds were used in these tests each year for a period of 7 years. 2. The seeds were placed in the silage in different silos and at different locations in the silos where they remained for periods ranging from 33 to 1,636 days. 3. Five of the 11 species used show some germination after storage in the silo. Field bindweed germinated in 6 of the 7 years, while annual morning glory and velvet leaf germinated in 5 of the years. 4. Field bindweed gave an average germination of 16% after passing through the silo compared with 27% when stored outside exposed to the weather. Velvet leaf gave higher germination after storage in the silo than when stored outside. 5. Twenty-eight seeds comprising three different species germinated after approximately 4 1/2 years in the silo. 6. The viability of rough pigweed, yellow foxtail, Johnson grass, smartweed, sunflower, and cocklebur was apparently destroyed in the silo. The seed of field bindweed, velvet leaf, morning glory, giant ragweed, and barnyard grass, however, seemed able to resist the effect of ensiling. 7. The danger of spreading certain species of weeds by means of corn and sorghum silage crops is reduced but not eliminated by ensiling the crop.

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