Short Communication: Effect of drought and salinity stresses on rhizome sprouting of the noxious weed cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. student, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Cogongrass is one of the most serious weeds in palm groves and sugar cane industry of Khuzestan. Understanding the impact of environmental stresses on the ability of vegetative propagation and rhizome sprouting of this weed can help to control this species. Therefore 5 cm rhizomes with 2-3 mm diameter in two separate tests were conducted based on completely randomized design with 4 replications and 6 drought levels (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2 and -1.5 MP) using polyethylene glycol 6000 and six salinity levels (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 dS/m) using sodium chloride at Research Laboratory of the Research Institute for Education Development and Cane Industries of Khuzestan. In this experiment rhizomes were placed in a germinator set at 22/30 ° C and light conditions of 8/16 hours (night / day). The results indicated that increasing drought and salt stresses significantly (p<0.01) decreased the rhizome germination rate and percentage compared to the control treatment. Based on the estimation of 3-Parameter logistic models, the salinity and drought values for 50% reduction in rhizomes germinability were 6.42 dS/m and -0.96 MP, respectively. According to these research findings, cogongrass rhizomes were able to sprout under either salinity or drought stresses, indicating this species is a troublesome noxious weed even under such stresses.

Keywords

References

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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences
Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
March 2016
Pages 335-338

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 May 2014
  • Revise Date: 01 August 2014
  • Accept Date: 22 October 2014

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