Some establishment characteristics of mouse-ear and king devil hawkweeds

Abstract

Seed of mouse-ear (Pilosella officinarum) and king devil hawkweed (P. praealta) germinated rapidly at warm temperatures without after-ripening. Germination differences were found which appeared to be related to the preferred habitat of each species. King devil seed was lighter and had lower reserves than mouse-ear seed. Light induction was required by king devil. The range of sUltable temperatures for rapid germination was wider and the optimum higher for king devil compared to mouse-ear seed. King devil tolerated more moisture stress during germination than mouse-ear but was inferior to white clover, alsike, and cocks-foot seed. The ratio of shoot to root growth was greater in king devil seedlings than in mouse-ear seedlings. Mouse-ear had a more limited morphological response to shading than king devil during both seedling and adult life stages. Mouse-ear preferred higher soil fertility than king devil. Vegetative propagation of mouse-ear increased with fertilisation. Calcium nitrate increased the number of daughters produced and molybdenum-fortified superphosphate increased the length of stolons. © 1985 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.