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Publication Date
1981
Description
Presowing hydration-dehydration treatments, in which seeds are partially hydrated and then dried back to their original weights before sowing, have been claimed to have wide-ranging and beneficial effects on seed germination and plant growth. We have assessed the physiological benefits and problems of hydration-dehydration treatments as they apply to pasture grasses, in particular to annual ryegrass. Pretreatment increased the speed of germination because the embryos of pretreated seeds were in a more advanced developmental stage at sowing. Furthermore, the germinability of seeds was increased if hydration-dehydration coincided with exposure to dormancy-breaking conditions, but we found no evidence to support other claims made in favor of seed pretreatment. Because the benefits of pretreatment are lost after exposure of seeds to high temperatures or to very dry conditions, the storage of pretreated seeds may be a problem. In addition, the unfavorable response of pretreated seeds to high temperatures may preclude their use in some places. Nevertheless, pretreatment could be a useful practice where species that germinate slowly are to be established in cool environments that dry rapidly after rain. This benefit was demonstrated in simulation studies in which establishment of seedlings was increased from 20% to 77% by using pretreated seeds.
Citation
Lush, W M.; Groves, R H.; and Kaye, P E., "Hydration-Dehydration as a Presowing Seeding Treatment Physiology and Application" (1981). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 14.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1981/section9/14)
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Hydration-Dehydration as a Presowing Seeding Treatment Physiology and Application
Presowing hydration-dehydration treatments, in which seeds are partially hydrated and then dried back to their original weights before sowing, have been claimed to have wide-ranging and beneficial effects on seed germination and plant growth. We have assessed the physiological benefits and problems of hydration-dehydration treatments as they apply to pasture grasses, in particular to annual ryegrass. Pretreatment increased the speed of germination because the embryos of pretreated seeds were in a more advanced developmental stage at sowing. Furthermore, the germinability of seeds was increased if hydration-dehydration coincided with exposure to dormancy-breaking conditions, but we found no evidence to support other claims made in favor of seed pretreatment. Because the benefits of pretreatment are lost after exposure of seeds to high temperatures or to very dry conditions, the storage of pretreated seeds may be a problem. In addition, the unfavorable response of pretreated seeds to high temperatures may preclude their use in some places. Nevertheless, pretreatment could be a useful practice where species that germinate slowly are to be established in cool environments that dry rapidly after rain. This benefit was demonstrated in simulation studies in which establishment of seedlings was increased from 20% to 77% by using pretreated seeds.
