Germination of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) seeds in the laboratory depending on several technical parameters

Abstract

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an invasive weed and allergenic species. Its considerable spreading capacity is largely due to the properties of its seeds. We checked the effect of several technical parameters on ragweed germination under laboratory conditions. After stratifying seeds for one, four, seven, ten, thirteen and sixteen weeks, we checked whether and in what way the amount of water in petri dishes, filter paper and cling film used to cover petri dishes affected the percentage and dynamics of seed germination at 22 }2°C. Filter paper, which is normally used in laboratory experiments on seeds, was not found to be necessary. The amount of 2 ml of water was sufficient for seeds stratified for up to seven weeks in 60 mm diametre petri dishes. After longer stratification periods, sporadic drying out was observed in petri dishes containing 2 ml of water, rarely in those with 3 ml of water. After refilling the dishes with small amounts of water, this had no effect on the ultimate germination percentage. Covering petri dishes with cling film was found to be useful but not necessary after long stratification.

Ambrozija (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) je invazivna korovska i alergena biljna vrsta. Svoju veliku zastupljenost u značajnoj meri duguje osobinama svog semena. U našem radu je proveravan uticaj nekih tehničkih parametara na klijanje ambrozije u laboratorijskim uslovima. Nakon što su semena stratifikovana jednu, četiri, sedam, deset, trinaest i šesnaest nedelja ispitivano je da li i na koji način količina vode u Petri kutijama, upotreba filter papira i korišćenje prijanjajuće folije za uvijanje Petri kutija utiču na procenat i dinamiku klijanja semena na 22 }2°C. Pokazalo se da filter papir, koji se inače redovno koristi u laboratorijskim eksperimentima sa semenima, nije neophodno koristiti. Za semena stratifikovana do sedam nedelja količina vode od 2 ml je, za korišćene Petri kutije prečnika 60 mm, bila dovoljna. Pri dužoj stratifikaciji je sporadično dolazilo do isušivanja Petri kutija sa 2 ml, ređe sa 3 ml vode. Uz blagovremeno dolivanje vode, to nije uticalo na krajnje procente klijanja. Uvijanje Petri kutija prijanjajućom folijom se pokazalo korisnim, mada ne i neophodnim, pri dužoj stratifikaciji.