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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #103703
Title: COMPARATIVE GERMINATION OF 1998 AND 1999 LOTS OF GERMTEC II - TREATED EASTERN GAMAGRASS SEED GROWN IN THE GREENHOUSE AND LABORATORY IN 1999

Author
item Krizek, Donald
item MEYER, GWEN - NRCS
item DAVIS, KATHY - NRCS
item McCloud, Miguel
item MAXON, SUSAN - AMS

Submitted to: Grass Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2000
Publication Date: 5/1/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Preliminary greenhouse studies conducted in 1998 indicated that GERMTEC II primed seed (i.e., treated by a proprietary procedure to stimulate germination) of eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] kept at 4C showed a decline in germination within 2 months after receiving the seed. The experiment was repeated during 1999 in ARS and NRCS greenhouses (GH) using both 1998 and 1999 seed lots. The initial percent germination of these lots supplied by the dealer was 93% and 85%, respectively. Three trays of 100 seed each from both lots were planted at each location every 4 weeks from March 17 to September 2. Three germination tests were also conducted on identical dates in April, July, and September in an AMS germinator at a day/night temperature of 30/20C (8 h photoperiod), using a 400 seed sample. Results indicated that the percent germination of 1998 and 1999 lots showed a similar pattern of decline at both GH locations. The average 28 d percent germination at ARS on April 14, May 12, June 9, and July 7 was 66%, 42%, 49%, and 39%, respectively, for 1998 seed and 78%, 38%, 46%, and 27%, respectively, for 1999 seed. The 28 d percent germination at NRCS on these dates was 53%, 40%, 44%, and 34%, respectively, for 1998 seed and 63%, 32%, 41%, and 25%, respectively, for 1999 seed. The comparable 28 d percent germination in the AMS test on May 12 was 67% and 75%, respectively, for 1998 and 1999 seed lots. The decline in germination of GERMTEC II treated seed in both seed lots in 1999 is consistent with the pattern observed in 1998 and suggests that: (1) the stimulatory effects of this treatment are relatively short lasting; and (2) secondary dormancy may be induced during late spring and this dormancy may be broken during subsequent cold storage.