The objective of the study was to evaluate the maturation of A. hispidum diaspores and methods for overcoming dormancy. Diaspores were obtained 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after anthesis (DAA) from plants in the experimental area of the Universidade Federal do Recôncavo Bahiano, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil. Diaspore dimensions, water content and dry weight were evaluated. Emergence was tested at 25°C with 16 hours of light in washed sand. Emergence was monitored weekly, counting the aerial part of the seedlings above the substrate, and determining the germination velocity emergence (GVE) and percentage of dead and dormant diaspores. In another experiment, the treatments for overcoming dormancy were: scarification with sandpaper; washing in running water for 24 h; stratification at 10 ºC for 7 days; GA3 4000 mg L-1; and intact seeds. The dry weight increased until 21 days and the length increased until 35 DAA. The maximum emergence (45%) and GVE (3.4) of the diaspores was at 21 DAA when there was physiological maturity. Dormancy increased in the subsequent stages. A. hispidum disperses physiologically dormant seeds and dormancy can be overcome with GA3.
weed; germination; vigor; gibberellin
