Seed germination in goose grass (Eleusine indica)

Low germination of freshly harvested Eleusine indica caryopses indicated some form of dormancy. Water uptake studies indicated that the covering structures of the propagules are permeable to water. As scarification breaks the dormant condition a mechanical effect for the covering structures is indicated. With ageing, dormancy becomes progressively less and the seeds become more sensitive to gibberellic acid applications which increase germination significantly. Die swak kieming van vars geoeste Eleusine indica saad dui daarop dat die sade rustend is. Wateropnamestudies het getoon dat die saadhuide vryelik deurdringbaar vir water is. Aangesien skarifikasie-behandelings die rus van die sade verbreek dui dit daarop dat die saadhuid ’n meganiese invloed op kieming het. Met veroudering word die saadrus geleidelik minder en raak die sade meer sensitief vir gibberelliensuur-toedienings wat kieming betekenisvol verhoog.