Environmental Factors Influencing the Seed Germination of the Weed Chenopodium album L.

Abstract

Weeds are plant species that are highly adapted to their environment and can therefore spread over large areas. Chenopodium album L. is one of the most common weeds in most parts of the world. In this study, the effects of environmental conditions that might play a role in the spread and germination of the weed's seeds were investigated. The environmental conditions studied included eight different temperature levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C), seven different salt concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mmol/l) formed with sodium chloride (NaCl), including the control group, seven different pH values (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) to characterize large soil areas, and germination in light and dark conditions. The study was conducted in the laboratories of the Plant Protection Department of Erciyes University Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey, in 2022. It was found that the highest germination occurred in the heat-treated seeds when the temperature of 25 °C was applied. The highest germination was observed at pH 8. Approximately 45% germination was observed at the light factor. The highest germination rate was obtained at different salt concentrations in the control group and then at the 25 mM salt application. Examination of the information obtained from the experiments suggests that it is possible to know the factors that can cause or prevent the germination of C. album seeds. Knowledge of these factors also has the advantage that the occurrence of weeds can be predicted and more predictable weed control can be performed in advance.