Elevated Temperature Affects Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana Reproductive Biology

The weed Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana has a high economic impact in the winter cereal crop production systems of Australia’s northern grains region (NGR). In NGR, frequency high-temperature periods at end is increasing. This shift climate may modify this weed’s maturity time and reproductive biology, thereby on production. study examined biology four A. biotypes relation to elevated temperature when applied different times during their seed development. Plants all were grown an ambient glasshouse (23/14 °C day/night). At panicle initiation, portion plants transferred (29/23 day/night) remained there until maturity. process plant movement was repeated three further occasions with separate batches plants, each 10 days apart. remaining kept under conditions for whole lifespan. exposed from initiation maturity, matured 18 earlier than conditions, had 30% fewer filled seeds, 37% lower mass, 40% less dormancy. Depending duration temperature, predicted longevity ranged 1 4 years soil seedbank. All traits affected later stage If continues increase, then it lead development dormant populations that would be ready germinate re-infest next crops no-tillage conservation agriculture (that does not bury seeds deep profile). However, seasonal climatic variability NGR addition natural genetic contribute seedbank both seeds—making species even more difficult-to-control weed.