An evaluation of methods for breaking seed dormancy in kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

Abstract

We evaluated several methods for breaking dormancy in seeds of the invasive weed Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (kudzu). Seedlings from untreated seeds emerged from late March to early October 1999 in trays placed outdoors under natural weather conditions; mean cumulative percentage emergence was low (11%). In growth chamber experiments, germination percentages of untreated seeds ranged from 6 to 17%. All hand-scarified seeds germinated, whereas only 6% of intact seeds germinated. Other dormancy-breaking methods that produced higher germination percentages included exposure to ethyl alcohol for 6-12 h (24-86%), exposure to concentrated sulfuric acid for 1-2 h (65-81%), and exposure to moist heat for 5-300 s (30-80%). The influence of temperature on germination percentages of seeds following dry heat treatments depended on the duration of exposure. At 60 and 80°C, germination percentages increased with longer exposures to dry heat and were greatest after 720 min (27 and 60%, respectively). At 100°C, percent germination was greatest when seeds were exposed to dry heat for only 10 min (93%). Cold stratification at 5°C for 0-6 weeks did not increase seed germination percentages after exposure to a range of alternating thermoperiods. Similarly, dry storage at room temperature for 0, 200, or 400 days did not affect germination percentages in light or dark treatments.Key words: Pueraria lobata, physical dormancy, germination, phenology, acid scarification, warm stratification, cold stratification.