Germination ecophysiolology of Mesquite (Prosopis farcta L.) weed

Mesquite is an invasive and problematic weed in warm and dry areas and so its management is very important. In order to study the effective factors on mesquite seed germination, the following studies were conducted to investigate: 1- seed viability; 2- the effect of constant temperatures on seed germination including 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C independent dark and independent light conditions; 3- Effect of temperature fluctuations on seed germination including 10/0, 20/10 and 30/20°C; 4- the effect of scarification with concentrated sulphuric acid and physiacal scarification on seed germination; 5- the effect of planting depth seed on seedling emergence; 6- the effect of drought stress including 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 Mm PEG on seed germination; and finally 7- the effect of salt stress including 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 mM NaCl on seed germination. All experiments were performed as completely randomized designs with 4 replications. The results showed that seed viability of mesquite was 81%. The optimum temperature for seed germination was a constant temperature- 30°C. In general, constant temperature was more suitable than temperature fluctuations for seed germination. The best seed planting depth for seedling emergence was 2 cm. The most seed germination was observed under the effect of 20 min scarification with concentrated sulphuric acid. Physical scarification had no significant effect on seed germination. While the study of salt and drought stresses effect showed that the most seed germination (after control without NaCl and PEG), was due to concentrations of 100 and 200 mM, seed germination decreased with the increase of NaCl and PEG concentrations. Based on the present results, light did not play a crucial role on seed germination. Therefore, mesquite seeds were not photoblastic. These characteristics are very important in making mesquite an invasive weed. Having precise information of these traits, enables us to have a better control over the management of this troublesome weed.