Comparative germination patterns of annual grasses in north-eastern Victoria

Abstract

The seasonal distribution of germination of Lolium rigidum, Vulpa bromoides, Hordeum leporinum and Bromus mollis was measured under field conditions. The study was conducted in north-eastern Victoria from February to August in 1966 and 1967. Although 49-97 per cent of seed of all species had germinated by the end of April, the proportions of Lolium and Volpia that emerged after April (36 and 45 per cent respectively) were greater than the analogous proportions of Hordeum and Bromus (18 and 13 per cent respectively). These differences in germination pattern are considered to be of potential importance in explaining the incidence of annual grass weeds in winter cereal crops, but of little significance explaining the persistence of these grasses in grazed pastures. Less th-an one per cent of the original seeds remained viable on or in the soil by late winter.