Abstract
The pest plant Persicaria chinensis (Chinese knotweed) is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and is listed on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Official New Zealand Pest Register (ONZPR). Chinese knotweed is currently managed through a species-led eradication programme in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. In Aotearoa / New Zealand it is believed Chinese knotweed is spread by vegetative means; however, little is known about the viability of the seeds and their role in distribution. This study examined the viability of Chinese knotweed seeds in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Sixteen fruit were used in a simple germination test that was set up to determine viability of the seeds. The results showed that the seeds are viable and under ideal conditions the seeds will germinate. Locations in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland are mostly evidenced as human induced; however, there is circumstantial evidence that suggests dispersal by birds may also be likely.
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