Emergence Characteristics and Germination Physiology of Smoothseed Alfalfa Dodder (Cuscuta Approximata Bab.)

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the germination physiology and some emergence characteristics of smoothseed alfalfa dodder (Cuscuta approximata Bab.). The study was carried out between 2010 and 2013. The viability of the dodder was detected 98%. The seeds can be germinated at 30 degrees C as the highest and 10 degrees C as the lowest temperatures in this study. The germination ratio of smoothseed alfalfa dodder seeds increased in parallel with longer holding periods in cold at 2 +/- 1 degrees C by using stratification method. The highest germination rate was found as 50.3% for the seeds, which were left in cold throughout 133 days. The highest germination ratio was obtained from the level of 150 ppm gibberellic acid application dose in dormancy breaking study. Moreover, it was determined that the best emergence was obtained in 0.5 cm soil depth. The seeds on the soil surface died due to inadequate moisture and the seeds on the so depth (4-6 cm) did not emergence.