Germination ability of the invasive knotweed seeds under different experimental conditions

Bachelor of Science Divine Chikezie Nnamdi, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis examines the patterns of knotweed germination, with a particular emphasis on Fallopia japonica, a highly invasive plant that has substantial effects on the environment and the economy. Under carefully regulated experimental settings, the study aims to clarify the effects of environmental variables on seed germination rates, such as temperature ranges, substrate kinds, and light intensity. The germination responses of knotweed seeds to different environmental conditions were studied through a series of both indoor and outdoor experiments, using statistical analyses to find important patterns and trends. The results show that F. japonica seed germination is highly dependent on substrate type and light intensity, with greater rates noted in nutrient-rich soils and partially lit (semi-shaded) environments. In the range studied, temperature by itself did not, however, show a significant effect on germination rates. These findings offer important new understandings of the ecological strategies used by knotweed species to colonise a variety of habitats and help guide the development of efficient management plans for invasive knotweed population control. These findings have consequences for ecological restoration initiatives as well as for managing invasive species in general. This work adds to the conservation and restoration of native plant populations in invaded settings by filling important information gaps in the ecology of F. japonica germination.

Keywords

germination rate, invasive plants, knotweed, environmental conditions

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 27. 3. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 23. 5. 2024
• Vedúci: doc. Ing. Kateřina Berchová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Pavla Vachová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme:
Nature Conservation