Reproductive Biology and Herbicidal Sensitivity of Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate seed and root reproduction and herbicide sensitivity of maypop passionflower (Passiflora incarnataL. ♯ PAQIN). Water-leached seeds that were not exposed to light had the greatest germination (53%). Depending on soil type, seedlings emerged from depths of 10 to 12 cm. Most rapid germination and seedling development occurred between 30 and 35 C. Plants rapidly produced an extensive system of lateral roots and rhizomes that had regenerative capability at maturity. Root or rhizome sections of only 0.5 cm in length had a 20% regeneration rate. Desiccation effectively reduced viability of root and rhizome pieces. Effective herbicide control was limited to the triethylamine salt of triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid} at 2.2 ai kg/ha, alkanolamine salt of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] at 1.7 kg/ha, and dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) at 0.3 to 0.6 kg/ha.