Seed viability of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is affected by seed origin and age, but also by testing method and laboratory

Common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an annual Asteraceae species native to North America which highly invasive across Europe and has harmful impacts, especially on human health agriculture. Besides its wide ecological range, particularly high reproductive power by seeds promoting spread various habitats regions. To prevent further control the plant, European Commission funded projects COST-Actions involving scientists from all over Europe. A joint trial was set up comprising eight different laboratories study seed viability variation in samples. Three testing methods (viability test with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), a germination combined subsequent TTC crush test) were tested within EU-COST-Action SMARTER network four origins. The results compared for amongst tests laboratories. main aim optimise reliability of procedures, but revealed not only significant effects origin age viability, also considerable differences between output individual furthermore Due these labs, additionally second up. Twelve Austrian populations used obtain precise adjustment method as well tight guideline interpreting results, state “intermediate” since proper classification TTC-intermediate coloured still challenge when determining rates.