Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

337"
THO YEAR SUMMARYOF LIFE HISTORY STUDIES OF
HORSENETrLE (SOLANUMCAROLINENSE)Y
A. H. Furrer, Jr. J and S. N. Fertig Y
INTRODUCTION:
Horse nettle (Solanum carolinense).. a dicotyledonous plant, is a memberot
the Solanaceae family" commonly referred to as the potato or nightshade tamily.
It is a persistent perennial weed baving a deeply penetrating, vigorous root
system which permits storage ot large food reserves. The plant is normally disseminated
by means ot seed .. creeping roots J and root cuttings.
Economic losses caused by this weed are due to its vigorous competition to
crop plants, as a possible source ot poisoning to livestock, and as a host of
several important plant diseases and insects. Its spiney character also presents
a problem in band harvested crops as well as 'in torage crops tor livestock.
Thus far, effective and economic controls have not been developed. The purpose
of this study was to investigate the reproduction and growth habit of the
weed with the ultimate objeetive of finding a point in the lite cyele where control
methods might be more effective.
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EXPERIMENTALMETHODANDPROCEDURE:
The primary objectives of the field andgreenbouse seed studies were to
determine some of the fa.etors influeneing emergence from seed, the percentage
emergence, and the extent of dissemination of the weed by means of seed.
Experiments were conducted concerlljng (a) emergence from seeds planted
at seiVer8.l depths, (b) winter survival of seeds planted late:ln the growing season,
(c) emergence of seedlings from Borse nettle infested soil, (d) emergence from
seed scattered on the so11 surface I (e) emergence of seedlings under natural
field conditions, (f) emergence from seed planted in several different soil types,
(g) emergence from Bo!'se nettle berries, and (h) the numbers of seeds produced
per berry.
Based on the results of this study, Horse nettle seedlings ean emerge trom
seed planted tour inches deep in well drained, friable soils.
Soil type greatly influences the extent ot emergence from seed. Seedling
eme.rgence is highest in well drained, friable so11s.
Horse nettle infestations were shown to originate from seed under field
.conditions. The extent ot this source of infesta.tion can be determined only by
field observations over extensive areas. Nevertheless, control programs should
include provisions for preventing seed formation and dissemination.
Seedlings were produced from whole and broken seed berries that were located
-, !ITUork conducted as a part of the Cooperative Regional Project NE-42.
?I Gradua.te student and Professor of Agronomy, respectively, NewYork State College.
of Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca, NewYork.