Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3716
Title: Factors Affecting Germination of Coolatai Grass ('Hyparrhenia hirta')
Contributor(s): Chejara, Vinod Kumar (author); Kristiansen, Paul  (author)orcid ; Whalley, Ralph D  (author)orcid ; Sindel, Brian M  (author)orcid ; Nadolny, Christopher (author)
Publication Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1614/WS-07-163.1
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3716
Abstract: Coolatai grass is an invasive, perennial grass from Africa and the Middle East that has infested large areas of northern New South Wales, Australia, and also occurs in other Australian states. An understanding of the seed germination ecology of Coolatai grass can assist in predicting its potential distribution and developing effective management strategies. The effects of various environmental factors on Coolatai grass seed germination were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. The effect of diurnal alternating temperatures (5–45 C) with a 12-h photoperiod were examined on a thermogradient plate. Seed germination occurred at almost all temperature combinations from 5 to 45 C. At moderate temperatures the speed of seed germination was very high; at 30/20 C more than 80% of seeds were germinated within 12 h. Germination was slightly enhanced by the presence of light, but length of photoperiod did not affect germination. Germination at neutral pH was over 90%, and declined to 65% at acidic (pH 4) and alkaline (pH 10) pH levels. Germination was completely inhibited at an osmotic stress of −0.55 MPa or greater and was reduced by 50% at −0.37 MPa. Greater germination in relatively dry soil conditions compared with native species may contribute to the establishment of this species in the field. Results indicate that Coolatai grass seeds can germinate over a wide range of diurnal temperatures, light regimes, pH levels, and under marginal water stress. These characteristics help explain the successful invasion of Coolatai grass and provide evidence that this species is capable of establishing in many parts of Australia.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Weed Science, 56(4), p. 543-548
Publisher: Weed Science Society of America
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 0043-1745
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050209 Natural Resource Management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960413 Control of Plant Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Environments
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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