Effect of Soil Burial Depth on Viability and Emergence of Avena fatua Seeds in Winter Cereal Fields

Abstract

Effect of soil burial depth on viability and emergence of Avena fatua seeds was investigated in winter cereal field conditions to understand seed persistence and recruitment dynamics. Seeds were subjected to different burial depths under field-simulated conditions, and emergence patterns were recorded over the growing season. Results indicated a strong negative relationship between burial depth and seedling emergence, with maximum emergence observed at shallow depths and significant suppression at deeper soil layers. Seeds buried near the soil surface exhibited higher germination rates due to better access to light, oxygen, and favorable temperature fluctuations, whereas deeper burial significantly reduced emergence potential due to restricted gas exchange and increased physical dormancy induction. Seed viability assessments revealed that a proportion of deeply buried seeds remained viable but failed to emerge, contributing to the soil seed bank persistence. Seasonal environmental variation further influenced dormancy break and germination timing, with winter chilling playing a key role in dormancy alleviation. The study highlights the adaptive strategy of A. fatua in maintaining long-term seed bank viability under varying burial conditions, contributing to its persistence as a major weed in cereal-based agroecosystems. These findings emphasize the importance of tillage practices and soil disturbance management in regulating weed emergence. Understanding depth-dependent germination behavior provides valuable insights for integrated weed management strategies aimed at reducing Avena fatua infestation in winter cereal production systems.