Germination capacity of cultivars of Buddleia davidii
Relationships between the naturalized forms of Buddleia davidii (Buddleiaceae, EPPO List of Invasive Alien Species) and cultivars obtained from classical breeding have been studied, as well as the risk that these cultivars could invade the environment. Experiments on the quantity of seeds produced and germination capacity showed that the cultivarsfrom classical breeding had an equal or superior potential for spread compared to the naturalized forms. This increased potential for spread could be partly explained by the fact that the selection has been made on the large size of their inflorescences, the precocity and long lasting period of flowering, and vigourous growth. These experiments also highlighted that the germination capacity of the seeds produced by cultivars from classical breeding was higher and more homogeneous when compared to naturalized B. davidii seeds. This type of experiment could be taken as a basis when developing tests for the evaluation of other plants considered as invasive.
Sources
Drin B (2006) Influence du pouvoir germinatif des cultivars de Buddleja davidii Franch. sur la colonisation des espaces naturels. Travail de diplôme. Ecole d’ingénieur de Lullier. Ecole d’ingénieur de Changins (CH). 72 p.