Simulation of germination of winter annuals in relation to microclimate and microdistribution.

A simulation program on the germination of winter annuals is written in such a way that the influence of changing environmental conditions on germination characteristics such as the time of germination, the percentage of germination and the distribution function of germination is described as well as possible in accordance with experimental data. The changing environmental conditions are simulated by a program that describes the changes of the microclimatological characteristics, temperature and moisture content of the soil, during a number of days depending on local conditions and macro-meteorological data. The simulated differences in germination between the two winter annualsVeronica arvensis L. andMyosotis ramosissima Rochel ex Schult. at different sites are discussed in relation to differences in their microdistribution. A way is indicated to characterize in ecological studies the microclimatological situation of a site in the field.