Yellow Nutsedge Tuber Germination and Seedling Development

Abstract

Upon germination, one or more rhizomes grew from the apical end of each yellow nutsedge(Cyperus esculentusL.) tuber. Each rhizome developed a basal bulb upon exposure to light. No significant differences in germination percentages existed between four lots of tubers which differed about fivefold in weight. The weight of plant material produced correlated significantly with the fresh weight of the tuber from which it emanated. When tubers germinated three successive times, over 60% of the tuber dry weight, carbohydrate, oil, starch, and protein were consumed during the first germination; but less than 10% of these constituents were uitlized during each of the next two germinations. Plants weighed significantly more after 43 and 91 days of growth with tubers attached throughout the period than when tubers were detached after emergence.