seed dormancy and emergence pattern of grand cherry (physicist divaricated l.) weed in lorestan, Iran

ABSTRACT: Annual ground cherry (Physalis divaricata L.) is one of the problematic summer weeds in Lorestan, Iran. Thus annual ground cherry emergence pattern was investigated in sugar beet and wheat fields during 2006-2007 growing season in Lorestan province. Seed dormancy was investigated from October to May in two depths, 0 and 10 cm based on factorial arrangement. The result showed that, ground cherry emergence was initiated from first week of May and continued until late July in sugar beet fields. It was observed that, 45 percent of germination was occurred in middle of May and more than 70 percent was occurred in this month. But the growth of this weed was initiated from first of June in wheat fields (30 percent) and continued until middle of September (45 percent). Monthly results (from October to May) show that, germination of placed seeds upon soil surface and at depth of 10 cm was more than 88 percent. These results indicate a lack of seed dormancy in the weed population. Irrigation and ploughing after wheat harvesting to control of ground cherry in sugar beet fields will help to control this weed.