Influence of seed storage duration in cow rumen fluid on the germination dynamics of four weed species

Subject Areas : Journal of plant ecophysiology

Akbar Zaraatpishe ^{1 *}

1 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد جیرفت، دانشکده علوم پایه، گروه میکروبیولوژی

Received: 2024-12-15 Accepted : 2024-12-21 Published : 2024-12-27

Keywords: cow rumen fluid, germinatio, weed species,

Abstract :

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of cow rumen fluid on the germination of
various weed species, with a particular focus on understanding the duration of seed exposure
to rumen fluid and its implications for weed seed dispersal.
Methods: A completely randomized experimental design was employed, comprising three
replications. The experiment assessed the impact of cow rumen fluid on weed seed germination
across five different storage durations: 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 hours. The weed species examined
included fescue, sweet clover, cowpea, and wild oats. Germination rates were recorded
following exposure to rumen fluid to determine the extent of seed viability loss.
Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in germination rates following exposure
to rumen fluid. Specifically, germination decreased by 60% after 16 hours of exposure. After
40 hours, all weed species tested, with the exception of cowpea, exhibited complete loss of
germination capability. Among the species evaluated, cowpea demonstrated the highest
resistance to the effects of rumen fluid, while wild oats showed the greatest sensitivity.
Conclusions: This study contributes valuable insights into the role of cow manure, particularly
through its rumen fluid component, in influencing weed seed viability. The findings underscore
the potential impact of livestock management practices on weed dispersal dynamics, offering
implications for agricultural practices and weed control strategies. Understanding the
interactions between livestock byproducts and weed seeds can help inform more effective
management approaches in agricultural systems.

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