Germination in Cool‐Season Forage Grasses under a Range of Temperatures. Issue 3 (16th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butler, Twain J.; Celen, Ahmet E.; Webb, Stephen L.; Krstic, Djordje B.; Interrante, Sindy M.
• Is Part Of: Crop science. Volume 57:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 1725
• Page End: 1731
• Publication Date: 2017-06-16
• Subjects: Crop science -- Periodicals; Cultures -- Périodiques; Cultures de plein champ -- Périodiques; Crop science; Nutzpflanzen; Zeitschrift; Pflanzenbau; Periodicals; 633
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2015.10.0647
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-183X

Abstract

Abstract : Temperature plays a primary role in seed germination, and germination under a wide range of temperatures can promote early seedling emergence and stand establishment. The objective of this growth chamber experiment was to determine the effects of temperature (5–35°C) on the germination of eight species using 6 annual and 14 perennial cool‐season grass lots. The greatest germination of annual and perennial cool‐season grasses occurred at 20 and 15°C, respectively. Germination of oat ( Avena sativa L.) was typically greatest at 10 to 20°C, whereas rye ( Secale cereale L.) germination was generally greatest at 5 to 20°C and annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) germination was greatest at 10 to 30°C. Germination of orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.) and hardinggrass ( Phalaris aquatica L.) was greatest at 15 to 20°C. Germination of tall fescue [ Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] varied by type: summer‐active tall fescue had optimal germination between 15 and 25°C but summer‐dormant tall fescue had optimal germination between 10 and 20°C, except for 'NFTF 1800E–', which was more sensitive to high temperatures (> 5°C). On the basis of these findings, the seeding rates of rye, oat, orchardgrass, hardinggrass, and tall fescue should be increased by ∼30% if planted in early September rather than late September to account for the reduction in germination; summer‐dormant tall fescue should be planted 2 to 3 wk later (1–15 October) than summer‐active types (early September) in the southern Great Plains.