The Evaluation of seed Germination Behavior of Centaurea bruguierana Hand.-Mazz to Environmental Factors

ICentaurea bruguierana is as one of the broadleaf weeds in most region of Iran. No information is available on the biology of germination of this weed, especially environmental factors. In order to investigate of Centaurea bruguierana to temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C), salinity (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 Mm) and drought stress (0, -o.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1 and -1.2 MPa), three separate experiments were conducted in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan based on completely randomized design (CRD) with six Replicates. Maximum germination percentage (91/10%) accrued at 25°C and germination percentage at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 were 71/27, 73/36, 80/84 and 44/97% respectively. The result of salinity revealed that the salinity required for 50% inhibition of the percentage germination, germination rate and germination index were 147.71, 81.49 and 138.82mM respectively. Also, drought stress decreased germination percentage, germination rate, and germination index by 50% by 0.66, 0.040 and 0.58 MPa, respectively. As well as 0.66, -0.40 and -0.58 MPa of drought stress germination percentage, germination rate and germination index were decreased by 50% respectively. The information obtained from this research can help to predict the dynamic of this weed under environmental stresses in agricultural fields.