Phenology and seed production of variegated thistle, Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., in Australia in relation to mechanical and biological control

Abstract

SummaryProduction of viable seeds occurred in immature capitula of Silybum marianum following simulated slashing and mowing. In the slashing treatment, capitula with 20 cm or less of stem attached produced viable seeds if cut off when at least half the florets were open, the proportion of viable seeds ranging from 0·3% in capitula at midanthesis to 12% in those at the end of anthesis. Following mowing, viable seeds were produced in full‐sized buds which were close to anthesis and in capitula at any stage of anthesis at the time of plant cutting, the proportion increasing from 0·1% in capitula at the start of anthesis to 30% in those at the end. Within a capitulum, anthesis usually lasted five days in irrigated plants. Ripe seeds were released about 17 days later. Seed production averaged 190 seeds for the primary capitulum and 114 in others. In a flowering season starting in early November and lasting about two months, individual plants had the potential to produce an average of 55 capitula, representing an output of 6350 seeds per plant, of which 94% were viable. In view of the prolonged flowering season and the large seed output of S. marianum, it is argued that the restricted period of oviposition by the weevil Rhinocyllus conicus and the low density of larvae per capitulum might limit its impact as a biological control agent for this weed in Australia.