Significance of temperature fluctuation and oxygen concentration for germination of the rice field weeds Fimbristylis littoralis and Scirpus juncoides.

A diurnally fluctuating temperature was found to be almost an absolute requirement for the germination of Fimbristylis littoralis and Scirpus juncoides. It is demonstrated that in f. littoralis sensitivity to the amplitude of temperature fluctuation can functuation as a depth sensing mechanism under water. This species did not germinate at all in the absence of oxygen. S. juncoides germinated best in anaerobic conditions and at low oxygen concentrations, but normal atmospheric concentrations inhibited germination. It is shown that this requirement for little or no oxygen together with the requirement for a fluctuating temperature cause the germination of S. juncoides to be restricted to the upper layers of waterlogged soil.