Interaction of light and temperature on the germination of Rumex obtusifolius L.

Seeds (nutlets) of Rumex obtusifolius L. fail to germinate in darkness at 25° C, but are stimulated by short exposure to red light (R) the effectiveness of which can be negated by a subsequent short exposure to far red light (F) indicating phytochrome control. Short periods of elevated temperature treatment (e.g. 5 min at 35° C) can induce complete germination in darkness. Although short F cannot revert the effect of 35° C treatment, cycling the phytochrome pool by exposure to short R before short F results in reversion of at least 50% of the population. Prolonged or intermittent F can also revert the germination induced by 35° C treatment. The effect of elevated temperature treatment is interpreted on the basis of two possible models; (i) that it increases the sensitivity of the seeds to a low level of pre-existing active form of phytochrome (Pfr) (ii) that it induces the appearance of Pfr in the dark. In both cases it is envisaged that elevated temperature treatment and Pfr control germination at a common point in the series of reactions that lead to germination.Abbreviations D Dark - F far red light - P phytochrome - Pr red absorbing form of P - Pfr far red absorbing form of P - R red light     

Interaction of light and temperature on seed germination of Rumex obtusifolius L.

Germination of Rumex obtusifolius L. seeds (nutlets) is low in darkness at 25° C. Germination is stimulated by exposure to 10 min red light (R) and also by a 10-min elevation of temperature to 35° C. A 10-min exposure to far-red light (FR) can reverse the effect of both R (indicating phytochrome control) and 35° C treatment. Fluence-response curves for this reversal of the effect of R and 35° C treatments are quantitatively identical. Treatment for 10 min with light of wavelenght 680, 700, 710 and 730 nm, after R and 35° C treatment, demonstrates that germination induced by 35° C treatment results from increased sensitivity to a pre-existing, active, far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr) in the seeds.Abbreviations FR far-red light - P phytochrome - Pr red-absorbing form of P - Pfr far-red-absorbing form of P - R red light     

The effect of light on endogenous cytokinin levels in seeds of Rumex obtusifolius

Summary Exposure of Rumex obtusifolius seed to red light resulted in a rapid increase in extractable cytokinins. This increase can be reversed if the red light treatment is immediately followed by far-red irradiation. In germinating seed hardly any cytokinin activity could be detected in the butanol and aqueous extracts. An increase in the amount of activity present in the petroleum ether extracts of these seeds was, however, observed.The present findings suggest that cytokinin activity in light-sensitive seeds could be under the control of phytochrome.     

Isolation and characterisation of procyanidins from Rumex obtusifolius

An acetone:water (7:3) extract obtained from the leaves of Rumex obtusifolius was fractionated into procyanidin oligomer and polymer fractions using a linear gradient and a simple step method on Sephadex LH-20. The chemical characteristics of the procyanidin fractions were studied by 13C-NMR spectroscopy, acid-catalysed degradation in the presence of benzyl mercaptan, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and electrospray ionisation (ESI) MS. The 13C-NMR showed that the polymer fraction consisted predominantly of procyanidin polymers, some with galloyl groups attached. The thiolysis reaction products indicated a mean degree of polymerisation (DP) of 4.3 for the step method, and a range of 2.3-8.2 mean DP for the gradient fractionation, with epicatechin as the most abundant flavan-3-ol extension unit, while the terminal units consisted of equal proportions of catechin, epicatechin and epicatechin gallate. Singly charged ions observed in MALDI-TOF/MS showed a range of oligomeric procyanidins and their polygalloyl derivatives. These species (in the range DP 2-7) were also observed by ESI/MS but the spectra were more complex due to overlapping multiply charged ions. Isolation of oligomers from the Sephadex LH-20 fraction by chromatography on polyamide and C18 yielded B1, B2, B3 and B7 dimers, an A-type trimer and a B2 3,3'-O-digallate.     

Photosensitivity of Rumex obtusifolius seeds for stimulation of germination: Influence of light and temperature

A population of Rumex obtusifolius L. seeds imbibed for 24 h at 25°C exhibits a sigmoid logarithmic fluence-response relationship for stimulation of germination by red light (R), 11.0 μmol m⁻² being necessary for 50% of the response. After 24 h imbibition at 35°C the fluence-response relationship for stimulation of germination by R is biphasic. For 50% response the very sensitive phase (very low fluence-response) requires 4.7 − 10⁻²μmol m⁻² whereas the less sensitive phase (low fluence-response) requires 4.0 μmol m². A few seconds of far-red light (FR) satisfies the germination requirement of the sensitive seeds after 24 h at 35°C. However, a longer period of FR (2 h) results in low germination. The fluence-response relationship for induction of these seeds by R is sigmoid, 4.8 μmol m⁻² being necessary for 50% response, demonstrating that 2 h FR desensitizes the sensitive proportion of the seed population induced by 24 h at 35°C. A proportion of the seed population can be further sensitized by 60 min at 35°C following this desensitization.     

The effects of chrysomelid beetle grazing and plant competition on the growth of Rumex obtusifolius

Summary The interaction between grazing by Gastrophysa viridula and interspecific plant competition was investigated for Rumex obtusifolius growing in the field. During an eight-month growing season non-competing R. obtusifolius grew larger than competing plants although herbivore loads (beetle productivity per unit leaf area) were similar for competing and non-competing plants. However, grazing significantly reduced the growth of R. obtusifolius only in competing plants thus demonstrating a synergism between plant competition and invertebrate herbivory. The relevance of these findings for the distribution of plant species is discussed.     

Ontogenetic variation in response to temperature change in the control of seed dormancy of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L.

Abstract After the onset of imbibition, the dormant seeds of Rumex obtusifolius and R. crispus are stimulated to germinate by a change from an initial low temperature to a warmer temperature for a relatively brief period: the warmer that temperature the shorter is the optimum period spent at it, and this optimum value is unaffected by the initial temperature. The optimum period is more critical in R. crispus than in R. obtusifolius (about 1 h and 2.5 to 4 h, respectively, for a warmer temperature of 35°C in the dark); in the light the length of the period at the warmer temperature is less critical in both species. The sensitivity of the seeds to the change to the warmer temperature increases with time from the start of imbibition at a rate which is positively related to the initial temperature. In R. obtusifolius maximum sensitivity was typically reached after 3 to 5 d when the initial temperature was 20°C and then remained constant, or declined only slightly, over the period investigated (10 d). At the same initial temperature, however, R. crispus showed a cyclical pattern of sensitivity with peaks occurring at 3–4 d intervals from the start of imbibition.     

Effects of Poa trivialis, Stellaria media and Rumex obtusifolius on the growth of Lolium perenne in the glasshouse

In glasshouse experiments shoot dry weight, leaf area and tiller number of Lolium perenne, cv. S. 24, were compared when grown in monoculture and in competition with Poa trivialis, Stellaria media or Rumex obtusifolius at a range of densities and for different time intervals. The results showed that S. media and R. obtusifolius were more competitive than P. trivialis. Competition effects with S. media and R. obtusifolius appeared between the 4 and 6 wk stage, coinciding with the production of the first S. 24 tillers. Spraying with 2,4-D (0·84 kg acid equivalent/ha) for control of R. obtusifolius did not decrease grass yield whereas mecoprop (2·80 kg a.e./ha) for control of S. media damaged young L. perenne. It appeared that the optimum time for mecoprop treatment was between 4 and 6 wk after sowing when tillering had commenced. At this stage weed competition was only beginning and crop tolerance to the herbicide was adequate.     

Effects of low temperatures on the loss of innate dormancy and the development of induced dormancy in seeds of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L.

Abstract It is possible to remove the innate dormancy of seeds of Rumex crispus L and Rumex obtusifolius L. by an initial period of low-temperature stratification, providing the seeds are then transferred to a higher temperature. The lower the initial temperature within the range 1.5°-15°C, the greater the germination; there is no stratification effect at 20°C. Although 10°C and 15°C were shown to be suitable for both stratification and for the process of germination itself, neither temperature results in any germination if given constantly: a change from a lower to a higher temperature is essential. The optimum period for stratification depends on two separate processes which occur during the treatment–a rapid loss of innate or primary dormancy and a slower development of induced or secondary dormancy. Within the range 1.5°-15°C the rate of loss of innate dormancy appears to be independent of light and is probably independent of temperature. In contrast, the rate of induction of secondary dormancy increases with increase in temperature, and is more rapid in the dark than the light. The rate of induction of secondary dormancy during stratification is greater in R. crispus than in R. obtusifolius. As a consequence, maximum germination was obtained in both species after stratification at 1.5°C in the light, the optimum period of treatment being about 4 weeks in R. Obtusifolius and 6 weeks in R. crispus, while the maximum germination obtained and the optimal period of stratification decrease in both species with increase in stratification temperature.     

Biological Activity of the Constituents in Roots of Ezo-no-gishigishi (Rumex obtusifolius)

The roots of Ezo-no-gishigishi (Rumex obtusifolius) contained a high concentration of malonic acid (more than 100 mg/100 g fr.wt) and oxalic acid (15-45 mg/100g fr.wt). The effect of several compounds isolated from the roots of R. obtusifolius on the growth of some fungi, bacteria and lettuce seedlings was examined. It is suggested that one reason for the resistance to decomposition of roots of R. obtusifolius in soil is the existence of organic acids and derivatives of naphthalene and anthraquinone in the tissue.     

Characterization of glucosylceramides in the Polygonaceae, Rumex obtusifolius L. injurious weed

Rumex obtusifolius L., a member of Polygonaceae, is one of the world's worst weeds. We characterized the glucosylceramide molecular species in leaves of R. obtusifolius by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. 4,8-Sphingadienines were principally paired with 2-hydroxy palmitic acids. In contrast, 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenines were chiefly attached to 2-hydroxy fatty acids with 22 to 26 carbon-chain length. A unique characteristic of the 2-hydroxy fatty acid composition of R. obtusifolius was the high content of n-9 monoenoic 2-hydroxy fatty acids with 22 and 24 carbon-chain length. The levels of the Z and E stereoisomers of the 8-unsaturated long-chain bases were reliably distinguished from those in other plant families in ten species of Polygonaceae.     

Characteristics of alternating temperatures which stimulate loss of dormancy in seeds of Rumex obtusifolius L. and Rumex crispus L.

Abstract. Alternating temperatures stimulate the germination of Rumex crispus L. and Rumex obtusifolius L. The optimum period spent at the lower temperature in a diurnal cycle is greater than that spent at the higher temperature. Under most conditions the optimum period at the upper temperatures is about 8 h but, as the upper temperature of a cycle is increased, the optimum period at the upper temperature becomes shorter and more critical. Thus when it is 35°C the optimum period is 2.5–4 h in the light, or about 1 h in the dark. The effect of alternating temperatures is much less in the dark than in the light and in general only extreme alternations with short periods at the higher temperature are effective in the dark. In the light any temperature alternation within the range 1–35°C is effective to at least some extent, providing the temperature difference is 5°C or more and providing the alternation includes one temperature which is above approximately 15°C and one which is below approximately 25°C. The optimum temperature difference is about 15°C. In the light, 4 to 10 cycles saturate the response, but in the dark, where the effect is much less, the response may not be saturated even by 16 cycles. KNO₃ at 10⁻³ M has little effect on the response to alternating temperatures either in the light or the dark. The response to alternating temperature regimes does not appear to vary in quality, i.e., in terms of which particular treatments are best, but it varies in magnitude with site and year of seed collection; and it increases slowly during dry storage, even when stored at a temperature as low as 1.5°C.     

Analysis of the Effect of Light and Temperature on the Fluence Response Curves for Germination of Rumex obtusifolius

Both red light (10 minutes) and 35°C treatment (60 minutes) stimulate the germination of seeds of Rumex obtusifolius otherwise maintained in darkness at 25°C. Fluence response curves were determined for the effect of red light to stimulate germination of seeds with and without 35°C treatment. The endogenous far-red absorbing form (Pfr) level in the seeds was determined using short saturating fluences of wavelengths of light which maintain different proportions of phytochrome as Pfr at equilibrium. In the seed batches investigated, the endogenous Pfr level was found to be 4% or less of the total phytochrome. High dark germination after 35°C treatment does not result from an increase in sensitivity of the whole population to Pfr. Calculated fluence response curves for germination which best fit the experimental data suggest that seeds germinate in darkness after 35°C treatment because of a nonphytochrome-related process (overriding factor).     

Seed germination of the weed Rumex obtusifolius after on-farm conventional, biodynamic and vermicomposting of cattle manure

This study investigated whether composting methods differ in their impact on seed germination of Rumex obtusifolius (broad‐leaved dock). Weed seeds were buried in windrows of cattle farmyard manure, removed at monthly intervals and germinated during the course of 7 months. Composting methods differed in the maximum temperatures reached (63°C for conventional and biodynamic composting and 35°C for vermicomposting), the addition of 1000 m^?2 earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for vermicomposting and the inoculation of biodynamic preparations for biodynamic composting. After 1 month in windrows, germination rate of Rumex seeds was significantly higher in vermicompost (48%) than in conventional (28%) or biodynamic compost (18%). After 2 months in windrows, 26% of the seeds germinated in vermicomposting windrows, while those inserted in conventional and biodynamic windrows showed a negligible germination (0% and 2%, respectively). After 3 and 4 months, only seeds under vermicomposting germinated (22% and 3%, respectively). No germination was determined when seeds were inserted for longer than 4 months in any of the treatments. Seeds stored at room temperature germinated at 89% over the course of the experiment. Results suggest that the maximum temperature reached in windrows is not the single main factor reducing weed seed germination during composting.     

Sheep grazing vs. cutting: regeneration and soil nutrient exploitation of the grassland weed Rumex obtusifolius

Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L., Polygonaceae) is an agronomically important perennial weed causing decreases in pasture yields and fodder quality. Non-chemical control measures for dock are often limited to frequent pulling and cutting, additionally it is usually avoided by grazing animals. Here, the regeneration of R. obtusifolius in a Rumex-infested grassland grazed by a sheep breed that explicitly feeds on dock (Ovis aries L. cv. East Prussian Skudden) was compared to cutting. Therefore, regeneration of 90 R. obtusifolius plants of three different size classes was monitored in three plots during three grazing and cutting cycles. Plant height and number of fruit-stands of regrown R. obtusifolius was significantly lower, number of leaves significantly higher after grazing than after cutting, while plant diameter was unaffected. Initially medium and large-sized plants (>40 cm diameter) were significantly more sensitive to grazing or cutting than initially smaller sized plants. Soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations in the vicinity of R. obtusifolius correlated with some regrowth parameters but were not affected by grazing or cutting. Sheep-grazed grassland communities comprised fewer legumes (p = 0.002), more grasses (p = 0.010) and fewer sward gaps (p = 0.025) than cut grassland. At the end of the experiment, abundance of R. obtusifolius in sheep grazed plots was lower than in cut plots (p = 0.089) suggesting that regrowth potential of this weed was depleted by continuous grazing and higher sward density. In conclusion, these data suggest that sheep could be considered in grassland management schemes to both directly and indirectly control Rumex infestations.