The role of light and alternating temperatures on germination of Polygonum aviculare seeds exhumed on various dates

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Abstract
Summary: The annual dormancy cycle was investigated in buried seeds of Polygonum aviculare L. exposed to natural temperature changes in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. Seeds were exhumed monthly from December 1984 to February 1987 and tested in light (14‐h daily photoperiod) and continuous darkness at 12/12‐h daily alternating temperature regimes of 15/6, 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C. During autumn and winter, seeds became non‐dormant, and in March 1985 they germinated to 95‐100% at all thermoperiods in light and to 7‐61% in darkness. Seeds remained non‐dormant during spring but became more specific in their germination requirements in early summer. During July and August 1985, seeds germinated to 17‐53% in light at 30/15 and 35/20°C but to 0‐10% at all other test conditions. By September, about 65% of the seeds were dormant, but the others were able to germinate under the higher alternating temperatures in light. A similar seasonal cycle was recorded in the following year through to the spring of 1987. The results confirm the seasonal pattern of dormancy in this species (Courtney, 1968) but indicate that alternating temperatures combined with light are important in determining germination potential in P. aviculare.