Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-vsgnj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T18:10:43.725Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Germination of Field Dodder (Cuscuta campestris)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

J. M. Hutchison
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. Univ. of California, Davis, CA 95616
F. M. Ashton
Affiliation:
Dep. Bot. Univ. of California, Davis, CA 95616

Abstract

Germination of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) was investigated in field and laboratory studies. Germination plots established to simulate field conditions showed a rapid decline in the number of seedlings emerging over a 5-yr period. Less than 10% of the seeds planted emerged. Time of germination was correlated with temperature. The dormancy of seeds buried at various depths was found to be broken by overwintering. Older seeds and those close to the surface germinated best. Scarified seeds did not germinate at 15 C nor at temperatures of 39 C or above. Maximum germination occurred at 30 and 33 C. Scarified seeds planted at various depths failed to emerge from 3.8, 4.0, or 7.6 cm in the three soil types evaluated; the majority emerged from 3 cm or less. Seeds stored outdoors, at 3 to 8 C, or −3 to 0 C declined in dormancy with time compared to seeds stored at 15 to 25 C.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 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. Ashton, F. M. and Santana, D. 1976. Cuscuta spp. (Dodder). A literature review of its biology and control. Univ. California Coop. Ext. Bull. 1880. 22 pp.Google Scholar
2. Allred, K. R. and Tingey, D. C. 1964. Germination and spring emergence of dodder as influenced by temperature. Weeds 12:4548.Google Scholar
3. Barton, L. 1965. Dormancy in seeds imposed by the seed coat. Pages 727745 in von Ruhland, W. et al. Handbuch der Pflanzenphysiologie. Springer, Berlin Vol. 15.Google Scholar
4. Brown, R. 1965. Physiology of seed germination. Pages 894908 in von Ruhland, W. et al. Handbuch der Pflanzenphysiologie. Springer, Berlin Vol. 15.Google Scholar
5. Dawson, J. H. 1965. Prolonged emergence of field dodder. Weeds 13:373374.Google Scholar
6. Gaertner, E. E. 1950. Studies of seed germination, seed identification, and host relationships in dodders, Cuscuta spp. New York (C) Agric. Exp. Stn., Cornell, Mem. 294. 56 pp.Google Scholar
7. Goss, W. L. 1924. The vitality of buried seed. U.S. Dep. Agric. Bull. 83. 26 pp.Google Scholar
8. Hutchison, J. M. and Ashton, F. M. 1979. Effect of dessication and scarification on the permeability and structure of the seed coat of Cuscuta campestris . Am. J. Bot. 66:4046.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Menke, H. F. 1954. Dodder infestation can halt certified seed production. West. Feed and Seed 9: 24, 36, 37.Google Scholar
10. Stojanovic, D. and Mitjatovic, K. 1973. Distribution, biology, and control of Cuscuta species in Yugoslavia. Proc., Eur. Weed Res. Council Symp. Parasitic Weeds. 269279.Google Scholar