Volatile metabolites controlling germination in buried weed seeds.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea [L.] Roth), and wild mustard (Brassica kaber [D.C.] L. C. Wheeler) seeds exhibited decreased germination with increased planting depth in soil. Flushing the soil for 2 minutes each day with air overcame the inhibition. A sealed in vitro system was used to sample the volatile components produced by weed seeds. Inhibition of seed germination was accompanied by decreased O(2) levels and production of volatile metabolites identified as acetaldehyde, ethanol, and acetone. The effectiveness of these compounds in reducing germination was dependent on O(2) levels.