Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate methods of overcoming dormancy, light regimens, temperature and depth of sowing variations in the physiological quality of Echium plantagineum seeds. The diaspores (agglutinated fruits from the seeds) were submitted to treatments using accelerated aging, potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid to overcome dormancy. A 7 x 2 factorial design was used to evaluate the temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) and light regimens (presence or absence of light). A 6 x 2 factorial design was used for sowing depth (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm) and soil coverage (presence or absence of straw). In all experiments, a completely randomized design with four replicates of 50 diaspores was used. The main evaluations were germination, first germination count, germination speed index and emergence. The seeds showed dormancy, which was overcome by the immersion of the diaspores in potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid. The ideal temperature for germination was 20 °C, showing greater germination in the presence of light, considered as preferentially positively photoblastic. The highest germination percentage occurred when the diaspores were positioned on the soil surface in the presence of straw.
Highlights
Echium plantagineum L., popularly known as purple flower, is an annual herbaceous species, which belongs to the Boraginaceae family, native from Europe and NorthernAfrica, indicated as ornamental, melliferous and medicinal (Berti et al, 2007; Comunian et al, 2016)
In Brazil, it is widely distributed across the South region, causing damages due to the competition in agricultural crops and cultivated pastures, and it is difficult to control, since its germination is distributed throughout the year (Piggin, 1976)
They went through a manual cleaning process, and they were left to dry on the shade for five days and stored under an approximate humidity of 12%, Germination of Echium plantagineum L. seeds on flasks at room temperature (± 25 °C) until the experiments were conducted
Summary
Echium plantagineum L., popularly known as purple flower, is an annual herbaceous species, which belongs to the Boraginaceae family, native from Europe and NorthernAfrica, indicated as ornamental, melliferous and medicinal (Berti et al, 2007; Comunian et al, 2016). As a survival and adaptation strategy, it shows a mean production of 6,000 seeds per m2 and the occurrence of dormancy, which may be overcome on the soil, over time, or concomitantly with oscillations in the temperature, humidity, light and oxygen and carbon dioxide conditions (Piggin, 1976). This species presents quick growth and adaptation to temperature and photoperiod variations, high capacity to compete with agricultural crops and large leaf area production, and it is characterized as a weed (Forcella et al, 1986). New infestations may occur after it has been controlled through mechanical or chemical methods
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