Abstract
Variation in seed germination pattern of Poa annua L. within populations was studied for 14 populations from two golf courses, a paddy and an upland field under light and dark conditions. Germination tests were performed for 30 days at 20℃. Based on the variation in germination pattern within populations, 14 populations were divided into four groups: (A) Seeds of most individuals germinated quickly and almost completely. (B) Seeds of individuals quickly germinated, but varied in cumulative germination. (C) Individuals showed wide variation both in cumulative germination and time to germination. (D) Seeds of most individuals scarcely germinated. Al-though the germination patterns of golf course populations in the light and the dark greatly varied from Group B to D, reddish plants from greens were in contrast to non-anthocyanic ones from the same greens in germination behavior. Seeds of reddish green plants strongly required light intensity to germinate while non-anthocyanic ones exhibited good germination even in the dark. The strong light requirement of reddish plants for germination appeared to be adaptive to hand weedings in green. Individuals from tee grounds, fairways and roughs were variable in germination traits.
