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Germination Responses of Opuntia spp. to Temperature, Scarification, and Other Seed Treatments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Robert L. Potter
Affiliation:
Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., Rt. 2, Box 950, San Angelo, TX 76901
Joseph L. Petersen
Affiliation:
Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., Rt. 2, Box 950, San Angelo, TX 76901
Darrell N. Ueckert
Affiliation:
Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., Rt. 2, Box 950, San Angelo, TX 76901

Abstract

Scarification in sulfuric acid consistently increased germination of Opuntia edwardsii sp. nov, O. discata Griffiths, and O. lindheimeri Engelm. ♯ OPULI seeds over that of untreated seeds. Optimum constant temperatures for germination were generally 25 to 35 C and germination was not enhanced by alternating temperatures. There was a trend for increased germination following leaching in water for 12 h which suggested the presence of chemical germination inhibitors. Seeds passed through the digestive tracts of cattle exhibited average germination percentages that were 1.5 times greater than seeds removed from ripe fruits.

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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