Seed germination and seedling growth of some crops and weed seeds under different environmental conditions

Seed germination of some crops (Brassica campestris and Triticum aestivum) and weed seeds (Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Cyperus rotundus and Galinsoga parviflora) was studied under different environmental conditions like moisture (concentrations 3, 6, 9, 12, 15ml), temperature (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25˚C), pH (value 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and light (normal, red, yellow, blue, green and dark color). For the crops too much lower or higher moisture was not favorable for germination and growth. Experiments under different moisture conditions showed that C. rotundus and G. parviflora do not require more moisture to germinate and grow. Seed germination of both crops enhanced insignificantly at 15 to 20˚C treatments. Seed germination of all weed seeds was insignificantly high at 10 to 15˚C. The percentage of seed germination of both crops increased significantly in normal and green light. Seed germination of A. conyzoides, C. rotundus and G. parviflora was insignificantly different in normal, red, yellow and green light. Germination of all weed seeds was completely inhibited by blue and dark light. The shoot and root length of weed A. conyzoides was found to be significantly high (P=0.05) in yellow light treatment, but in B. pilosa, it was high in red and green light. Similarly in C. rotundus, shoot and root length were high in normal light but in of G. parviflora it was high in green light treatment. Seed germination and seedling growth were higher in pH5-7 in most cases.