Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T09:00:23.720Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Germination and Seed Production of Unicorn-Plant (Proboscidea louisianica)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Michael S. Riffle ,
W. Eugene Thilsted ,
Don S. Murray ,
Robert M. Ahring  and
George R. Waller
Michael S. Riffle
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron. and Prof. Emeritus, Dep. Biochem., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078
W. Eugene Thilsted
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron. and Prof. Emeritus, Dep. Biochem., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078
Don S. Murray
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron. and Prof. Emeritus, Dep. Biochem., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078
Robert M. Ahring
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron. and Prof. Emeritus, Dep. Biochem., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078
George R. Waller
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron. and Prof. Emeritus, Dep. Biochem., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted with unicorn-plant to determine conditions required for germination and to measure seed production. Field-grown plants produced an average of 122 pods/plant with an average of 71 seed/pod. The highest percent germination from seed harvested in 1980 occurred following a 2-week prechill treatment of 4 C. Germination increase was greater by removing the seed coat and the membrane enclosing the embryo than by removing the seed coat alone. Germination of seed from all pod compartments was similar. Aqueous extracts of unicorn-plant testa, leaf, stem, root, and exocarp were inhibitory in petri dish bioassays to cotton radicle growth. Extracts of stem, root, and exocarp were inhibitory to wheat radicle growth, and extracts of endocarp, leaf, and exocarp were inhibitory to unicorn-plant radicle growth. Seed buried in the field 10 cm deep for 1 to 8 months showed increased germination over time. Germination was lower when seed were stored at 4 C for 1 to 8 months in a soil having 25% (v/v) water.

Keywords

Unicorn-plant, Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thell. # PROLOcotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.wheat, Triticum aestivum L.Germinationseed productiongermination inhibitorsweed biologydevilsclawPROLO
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 36 , Issue 6 , November 1988 , pp. 787 - 791
Copyright
Copyright © 1988 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Balyan, R. S. and Bhan, V. M. 1986. Germination of horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum) in relation to temperature, storage conditions, and seeding depths. Weed Sci. 34:513–515.Google Scholar
2. Baskin, J. M. and Baskin, C. C. 1986. Seasonal changes in the germination responses of buried witchgrass (Panicum capillare) seeds. Weed Sci. 34:22–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Mayberry, M. W. 1947. Martynia louisianica Mill., an anatomical study. Kansas Acad. Sci. 50:164–171.Google Scholar
4. Mercer, K. L., Murray, D. S., and Verhalen, L. M. 1987. Interference of unicorn-plant (Proboscidea louisianica) with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Weed Sci. 35:807–812.Google Scholar
5. Phillippi, A. and Tyrl, R. J. 1979. The reproductive biology of Proboscidea louisianica (Martyniaceae). Rhodora 81:345–361.Google Scholar
6. Thieret, F. W. 1976. Floral biology of Proboscidea louisianica (Martyniaceae). Rhodora 78:169–179.Google Scholar