Longevity of Yellow Starthistle (<i>Centaurea solstitialis</i>) Achenes in Soil

Abstract

Yellow starthistle achenes were placed in 80-mesh nylon packets, buried in the field at depths of 2.5, 5, and 15 cm, and retrieved over 10 yr. No effects of burial depth on longevity were detected. Viability decreased faster for plumeless achenes than for plumed achenes. Average longevity of plumeless and plumed achenes was 6 and 10 yr, respectively.