Effect of seed depth on germination and growth of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.)

Importance of several weed species has been considerably increased during the last few decades in Hungary. Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) belongs to this spreading weed group as well. This weed species was in the 27th position in the course of the fourth Hungarian weed survey, but at the time of the fifth weed survey in 2007-2008 it stepped forward to the 10th position in the cornfields of Zala County. Requiring a warm climate, global climate warming plays a significant role in its rapid spread. Moreover, its effective reproduction strategy supports its occurrence and continuous spread in almost all field crops. Protection against velvetleaf can only be successful, if we know its biological and ecological characteristics. Comprehensive knowledge of the plant and selection of a proper application of weed control methods together can result velvetleaf free crop fields. The experiment was set up on the 29th of April 2009 at Keszthely where fifty seeds were sown into 50 litres volume plastic pots, in four replications with fifty pieces of seed per each plot. Germination percent of velvetleaf seeds and several growth indexes of seedlings (stem- and root length, leaf area, number of leaves, stem- and root fresh and dry weight) were measured on three different sampling dates.