Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2017
This research investigated the temperature and light requirements for seedgermination and emergence patterns of pinnate poppy, violet horned-poppy,and nodding hypecoum, three annual Papaveraceae species found in arablelands in the Mediterranean region. Two experiments performed in growthchambers (1) analyzed light (complete darkness or 12 h light) andtemperature (10/5, 15/5, and 20/10 C day/night temperatures) requirementsfor germination, and (2) determined base temperature (Tb) for germination. An outdoor pot trial was also set up to studyemergence patterns. All species showed higher germination in completedarkness than they did with a light regime, irrespective of dormancy level,time of the year, and temperature regime under which germination was tested,illustrating better germination when seeds are buried. Tb ranged from −2.6 to 0 C, depending on the species, indicating lowtemperature requirements for germination. Given their higher germination indaily fluctuating, rather than constant temperatures, the three Papaveraceaespecies should have the capacity to form persistent seed banks. Thesespecies behaved as winter annuals (from November to February) in the potexperiment and had difficulties to emerge in spring. Given that they cannotavoid autumn–winter chemical treatments, this could partially explain theirregression in arable fields. These results bring new information to developmanagement strategies for these Papaveraceae species in agroecosystems.
Associate editor for this paper: Muthukumar V. Bagavathiannan, Texas A&M University.