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Conference abstract2008

Dormancy in reproductive vegetative buds of perennial species dominating the agricultural weed flora in Scandinavia

Andersson, Lars; Boström, Ullalena; Hakman, Inger; Liew, Josefine; Karlsson, Laila; Milberg, Per

Abstract

Dormancy in reproductive vegetative buds of perennial species dominating the agricultural weed flora in Scandinavia Andersson, L.*, Bostrom, U., Hakman, I. , Liew, J., Karlsson, L. & Milberg, P. * Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7043, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. e-mail: Lars.Andersson@vpe.slu.se Many perennial weeds propagate vegetatively from belowground buds, which increasingly sprout when the roots or rhizomes are fragmentised. Soil tillage, repeated with a few weeks interval, is a primary method to control these weeds in organic agriculture. Soil tillage is also one of the most energy demanding measures used. In the light of global heating and climate change, there is an increasing need of low input agricultural systems, aiming at maintained soil fertility, integrated pest management and less use of energy. Thus, it is crucial that energy consumptive management, such as soil tillage is conducted when it has the largest impact on the target weeds, especially since in some perennials, sprouting capacity from vegetative buds seems to vary according to season. In this project, funded by The Swedish Research Council Formas, we study dormancy, a suspension of normal growth from meristems, in Elytrigia repens, Equisetum arvense, Tussilago farfara, Cirsium arvense, and Sonchus arvensis. In a semi-field experiment, which will be repeated for two years, the seasonal pattern of dormancy is followed by monthly investigations of shoot emergence from detached plants placed at controlled temperature and light conditions. We also investigate the effects of temperature, photoperiod and exogenous application of phytohormones on dormancy. The developmental changes in bud structure are studied by microscopy, and molecular markers of dormancy/active growth are used to study the gene expression pattern in dormant and non-dormant buds

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Conference

EWRS – NJF Workshop Perennial weeds. A growing problem