Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

351.
were made during 1958 both of naturally' c:ro'\i'Jdedplants and of plants widely
spaced by hand weeding of adjacent plants.
Results
Germination
Studies
Post-h$l.rvest DQrmancv as Related to Time: No germination' of newly' harvested
foxtail seed occurred following collection of 1958, 1959, or 1960 seed. Seed
oollected in 1954 stored under warm dry conditions still retained post-harvest
dormancy in 1960 tests. After sufficient time lapse, most stored seed gradually
lost dormancy. Five percent gemination of the 1958 seed was obtained by
'!)ecember 1, 1958, and by mdd-Nevember-for 1960 seed but not until the follo~.n.ng
Februarv 1 for the 1959 seed.
Effect of Environment: Realizing
did not approximat,e the conditions
that storage of seed in warm, dry con1itions
to which seed is exposed in the field, an .
attempt to find an environment in which germination would be induced was rrade f
Seed stored dry in a refrigerator for 10 weeks did not germinate. Alternate
subjection of drv seed to freezing and room temperatures did not significantly
increase gerrilination. In a further test foxtail seeds were soaked in water
for 12 hours. Germination of seed immediately following soaking was no
greater than for non-soaked seed, namely 3 percent. The soaked seed was held
in a refrigerator and sampfes removed daily for test. The germination
gradually increased to 45 percent after.8 days, but decreased in the 'following
four days being down to 25 percent on the last day of the experiment. Soaked
seed held in a freezer and withdra,.m daily for 12 days gave no gemination.
Seed soaked and then held at room temperature after drying displayed less lag
in the onset of increased germination with 25 percent germination occurring
after 4 days storage as compared to 8 percent germination from seed held in
the cold. In summary, the treatment increasing germination the most "las
soaking the seed follo\'red by storage for several days'prior to placing in a
germinator •. Soaked seed stored in a freezer, however, failed to geminate
upon removal.
Seed collected in the fall of 1959 "2S placed in seven environments
with samples being ~dthdra"n at 12 intervals from September 28, 1959 to
February 26, 1960 for germination tests. All samples in a moist condition
were in moist soil •
.
1. Constant cold - drv storage
2. Constant cold - wet
3. Constant warm (80°) - dry storage
4. Constant warm (80 0 ) - wet soil
5
. Constant warm (80 0 ) but fluctuating drv and wet storage
6. Fluctuating warm and cold with wet storage condition
(Seed placed in a screen and. buried in the field.)