Studies on the germination of mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schultes) seeds [weed].
1994
Ismail B.S. | Shukri M.S. | Juraimi A.S.
Effects of several environmental factors on germination and emergence of mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schultes) were examined in laboratory and greenhouse studies. Mission grass seeds need light for germination which was much lower in the dark (24 percent) than in sunlight (59 percent). The optimum temperature, 35 deg. C resulted in 59 percent germination. Germination was reduced under simulated moisture stress, and no germination was observed at -1.25 MPa. Maximum germination occurred at pH 9 and was 18 percent at 43 mM of NaCl. The percentage of emergence reduced with increasing planting depths. Greater emergence was obtained when seeds were sown on the soil surface (63 percent), but no seedling emerged when seeds were plants 10 cm deep. Shade levels of 35 and 70 percent reduced dry matter by 25 and 48 percent respectively, compared to plants grown in full sunlight. The number of tillers also decreased with increasing shade levels.
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