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Factors affecting seed germination of tropical signalgrass (Urochloa subquadripara)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Travis C. Teuton ,
Barry J. Brecke ,
J. Bryan Unruh ,
Greg E. MacDonald ,
Grady L. Miller  and
Joyce Tredaway Ducar
Barry J. Brecke
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, Milton, FL 32583
J. Bryan Unruh
Affiliation:
Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Milton, FL 32583
Greg E. MacDonald
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
Grady L. Miller
Affiliation:
Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
Joyce Tredaway Ducar
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA 30149
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Abstract

Tropical signalgrass is one of the dominant weeds in the Florida turfgrass industry and is potentially troublesome for the southeastern turfgrass industry. Tropical signalgrass is especially problematic for St. Augustinegrass sod producers because of lack of control options. The objectives of our research were to determine the effect of light, pH, temperature, water potential, and planting depth on tropical signalgrass germination and emergence. Tropical signalgrass germination does not require light and is optimum at pH 5 to 6, temperature 25 C, and water potentials greater than − 0.4 MPa. Tropical signalgrass shoots emerged from depths of 0 to 7 cm, with maximum germination when placed on the soil surface. Tropical signalgrass seedlings emerged in the field during the second week of March in Ft. Lonesome, FL. Weekly mean soil and ambient air temperatures at the time of emergence were 20 C. Tropical signalgrass emergence was first observed at 118 and 73 growing degree-days (GDD) (13 C base temperature), with a peak emergence period at 222 and 156 GDD for 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Keywords

Tropical signalgrass, Urochloa subquadripara (Trin.) R. D. Webster BRASUSt. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secondatum (Wait.) KuntzSeed germinationemergencelightpHtemperaturedepth of emergencetime of emergence
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 52 , Issue 3 , June 2004 , pp. 376 - 381
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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