Lathyrus aphaca is an aggressive dicotyledonous weed. The effect of different agroecological components/factors on the germination ecology of this weed was explored under a glasshouse and laboratory condition in 2014. The germination response of L. aphaca was lower at high temperature while maximum seed germination was found at 15/12 degrees C (day/night). Light significantly stimulated L. aphaca germination; nevertheless, substantial germination occurred under dark conditions. More than 86-90% of L. aphaca seeds germinated at pH level of 6.2-7.5. A significant quantity of seed germinated at 250 mM NaCl. There was no germination at -1 MPa. When the temperature was lower than 20/15 degrees C (day/night) initiation time of germination and germination index (GI) decreased but time to 50% germination (T-50) and mean germination time (MGT) increased. Darkness resulted in increased time to start germination, T-50, MGT and decreased GI in L. aphaca when compared with the 10 and 12 h photoperiods. The pH of 6 and above 7 enhanced germination time, T-50, MGT but decreased GI. Salt stress above 100 mM increased time to germination, T-50, MGT but reduced GI. Osmotic potential above -0.4 MPa increased initial germination time, T-50 and MGT as well as decreased germination index (GI) of L. aphaca. Increased seed depth in soil lowered germination percentage and GI but enhanced initial germination time, T-50, MGT. It was concluded that L. aphaca can grow over a wide range of agroecological/environmental conditions. These results may aid the development of agronomic tools and strategies for weed management in arable crops for yield enhancement.