Seed Viability and Dormancy Characteristics of Caucalis platycarpos in Winter Cereal Agroecosystems

Abstract

Seed viability and dormancy characteristics of Caucalis platycarpos were investigated to understand its persistence and recruitment dynamics in winter cereal agroecosystems. Mature seeds collected from field populations were subjected to laboratory assays to assess germination potential, dormancy status, and responses to environmental cues. Results indicated that freshly harvested seeds exhibited a high degree of physiological dormancy, limiting immediate germination under favorable conditions. Cold stratification significantly enhanced germination percentages, indicating that low-temperature exposure plays a key role in dormancy release and synchronization with seasonal environmental cycles. Light exposure further influenced germination behavior, with higher germination rates observed under alternating light–dark regimes compared to complete darkness, suggesting a preference for surface or shallow soil placement. Temperature regimes strongly affected germination response, with optimal germination occurring under moderate alternating temperatures typical of winter–spring transitions in cereal fields. Seed viability remained high over extended storage periods, indicating strong persistence in the soil seedbank. These traits contribute to staggered emergence patterns, enabling the species to establish across multiple crop growth stages and evade management interventions. Field implications suggest that dormancy heterogeneity enhances long-term survival in disturbed agroecosystems dominated by winter cereals. The species exhibits a bet-hedging strategy, ensuring recruitment under variable climatic conditions and cropping practices. The study highlights the ecological adaptability of C. platycarpos and its potential to persist in intensively managed cereal systems. These findings provide valuable insights for predicting emergence patterns and designing integrated weed management strategies aimed at reducing seedbank persistence and limiting infestation in winter cereal agroecosystems.