Influence of soil moisture on activity and persistence of the strigol analogue GR 24

Summary Germination of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Bentth seeds in response to the strigol analogue GR 24 was strongly influenced by soil moisture prior to, at, or after, stimulation. Exposure of seeds to excessive soil moisture contents (70% w/w) during conditioning resulted in a low response to GR 24. Transfer of Seeds from soil at 70% moisture to a lower moisture level (47%) for 2 days or more improved the response to GR 24 (37–58% germination), white air‐drying restored germination (88%). In Gezira soil the optimum soil moisture contents for maximum response to GR 24 were 44, 38 and 40% during conditioning, stimulation and germination, respectively. The corresponding figures for the sandy soil were 20, 22 and 22%, respectively. Persistence of GR 24 was similar in both soil types, but was strongly influenced by soil moisture content. The stimulant was stable in air‐dry soil, but a rapid loss was encountered in moist soil.