Influence of Soil Type and Depth of Planting on Downy Brome Seed

Abstract

Downy brome ( Bromus tectorum L.) seedling emergence was greatest from soil depths of 1 inch or less, but occasionally seedlings emerged from depths of 4 inches. Downy brome seed covered by soil germinated more rapidly than those seed on the soil surface. More downy brome seedlings emerged, and from greater depths, from coarse-textured soils than fine-textured soils when moisture was not limiting. Soil type did not influence longevity of downy brome seed buried in the soil. Most (98%) 8-month-old downy brome seed buried 8 inches in the soil germinated but did not emerge in 1 year; and none remained viable in the soil after 5 years. The moldboard plow was more effective in reducing downy brome populations than a sweep plow or one-way disk in a continuous winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system.