Investigations on the germination depth of Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense [L.] pers)

The aim of our experiment was to gain data about the germination depth of Johnson grass, and to investigate the dynamics of germination at different sowing depths. These investigations have great importance in respect of effective weed control. The experiments were carried out in the summer of 2005, using pots, in glasshouses. 50 Sorghum halepense chaffy seeds per pot were sown at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 cm depth. Treatments were used in 4 repeats. Peat:sand mixture in 3:1 ratio was used in the experiments. From the first germination, weeds were counted in every second day for 3 weeks. Finally, we measured the length of sprouts, the fresh root and sprout weight of the weeds, and--after drying--the dry-matter weight as well. The results of the first experiment (carried out in July 2005) showed that 25% of the seeds came up from 15 cm. Most of the weeds (64%) came up from 1 cm depth. Answering to our expectations, the ratio of germination from 5 cm depth was also high: it was 56%. The ratio of germination from 10 cm depth was also good (58%). Another experiment was carried out in August 2005, where the germination of Sorghum halepense was investigated from 20 and 25 cm depth. The results show that in spite of the small size of its seeds (5-7 mm), Johnson grass is able to germinate from 20, 25 cm depth. 30% of the sown seeds germinated from 20 cm depth, and because of the slowing-down of the growth only 6% of them germinated from 25 cm depth.