The effects of desiccation on broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and curled dock (Rumex crispus) root fragment regeneration

Fresh root fragments ofRumex crispusandRumex obtusifolius, which initially contain 65-70% moisture, progressively lose moisture when desiccated under conditions matching summer weather in southeast England. The likelihood of shoot emergence and the time it took in glasshouse conditions were both affected by desiccation, withR. crispusthe most affected up to 48 hr andR. obtusifoliusslower to emerge after 48 hr. These effects converged after longer desiccation periods, andR. crispusentirely failed to emerge after 120 hr. The dry weight of emerged shoots was not significantly different between the species until they were desiccated for 96 hr, after whichR. obtusifoliusdry weight was significantly reduced. In outdoor trials, desiccation for 24 or 48 hr had a lesser effect on emergence in either species when fragments were planted at the soil surface or at up to a depth of 10 cm, compared to deeper plantings, but emergence was significantly lower in plantings at 15 or 20 cm. Emergence delays were not significantly different between the species until they were planted at 15 or 20 cm, whenR. obtusifoliuswas slower to emerge thanR. crispus, an effect exacerbated by increasing desiccation. Similar interactions of increasing soil depth and desiccation were found in reductions in dry weight, number of tillers and leaf area, withR. obtusifoliusgenerally, but not exclusively, better able to withstand more extreme trial conditions. Our findings suggest that control of these highly troublesome weeds can be assisted by appropriate agricultural practices, notably exposing cut fragments to drying conditions followed by deep burial.