Abstract: Pycreus globosusis one of the most harmful weeds in paddy fields. In this study, we investigated the effects of temperature, light, plant growth regulators, drought, cold stratification and aging time on seed germination ofP. globosus, to understand the seed dormancy mechanisms, breaking methods of seed dormancy and key environmental factors of seed germination of P. globosus. The main aim of this study was to provide reference for the integrated control of P. globosus. The results showed that: (1) P. globosus is a photophile species. The optimum germination temperature was 15/30 ℃ or 20/35 ℃. (2) P. globosus exhibited nondeep physiological dormancy. Exogenous gibberellin (GA₃), melatonin (MLT), and cold stratification for two months significantly improved seed germination of P. globosus. (3) Seed germination of P. globosus was significantly dropped to 49% only under 20% PEG concentration, thus moisture was not the main factor limiting seed germination of P. globosus. (4) Seeds of P. globosus bear a good aging resistance as its germination was less than 50% after artificial aging for 160 h. Ploughing deeply before sowing or sowing early crop varieties are effective ways to prevent P. globosus.

Key words: seed germination, dormancy, temperature, plant growth regulator, cold stratification.