Interaction of nitrates and drought stress on the germination of weed species

Germination of several weed species was studied under laboratory conditions . Seeds of Chenopodium album, Galium aparine, Matricaria inodora and Panicu m ruderale were germinated at 22 degrees C temperature and at osmotic value s of -1, -5 and -10 bar by applying polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). With the decreasing osmotic potential, significant decreases in germination could be observed for each weed species. Interaction of nitrates and droug ht stress was studied in the germination of Panicum ruderale. NaNO3 had a m ore unfavourable influence than KNO3, especially at the osmotic potential v alue of -10 bar.