[Seed population dynamics and germination characteristics of Eupatorium adenophorum]

With bare land, farmland, and masson pine forestland in the Eupatorium adenophorum- invaded area of Dechang County, Sichuan Province as test habitats, this paper studied the seed population dynamics of E. adenophorum at the levels of seed rain and seed bank, and its seed germination characteristics under effects of light and soil medium. The results showed that in the three habitats, the seed population of E. adenophorum only existed from March to June, and reached its peak by the end of April. The annual seed rainfall in bare land habitat amounted to 2.4 x 10(5) individuals per square meter, and all the seeds were distributed in the soil layer above 2 cm. The thousand seed weight and seed activity of E. adenophorum in bare land habitat were significantly higher than those in another two habitats. No active seed was found in the three habitats by the first ten days of July. Under artificial light condition, full light had some inhibitory effects on seed germination, while 28% of full light gave the highest germination rate. Sandy loam soil was more favorable for the seed germination, while in un-reclaimed red soil, both the germination velocity and germination rate were the lowest.