Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Perennial warm-season forage grasses can be valuable components of forage systems to improve animal performance in summer, but they are difficult to get established. Therefore, two germination tests and two field experiments were conducted to determine relationships between seed germination and field emergence. Chilled and unchilled seed of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), caucasian bluestem ( Bothriochloa caocasica (Prin.) C. E. Hubb.), indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were germinated at different temperatures. Unchilled seed were planted in the field near Columbia, MO., at approximately 2-week intervals from early April to late June in 1982 and 1983. Germination indices obtained with chilled seed had higher correlation coefficients with field emergence than did those with unchilled seed. Germination percentage and germination rate index (GRI) of chilled seed at 25°C had the highest correlation, but germination indices at 30/20°C were also closely related to field emergence percentage. With chilled seed, highest coefficients were observed between germination indices obtained at low temperatures and emergence indices obtained with early plantings, and between germination indices obtained at high temperatures and emergence indices obtained with late plantings. Germination percentage and GRI obtained from chilled seed germinated at 25°C were able to evaluate emergence potential of these four perennial warm-season forage grasses over range of field conditions.
Citation
Hsu, F H. and Nelson, C J., "Relationship Between Germination Tests and Field Emergence of Perennial Warm-Season Forage Grasses" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 18.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses3/18)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Relationship Between Germination Tests and Field Emergence of Perennial Warm-Season Forage Grasses
Kyoto Japan
Perennial warm-season forage grasses can be valuable components of forage systems to improve animal performance in summer, but they are difficult to get established. Therefore, two germination tests and two field experiments were conducted to determine relationships between seed germination and field emergence. Chilled and unchilled seed of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), caucasian bluestem ( Bothriochloa caocasica (Prin.) C. E. Hubb.), indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were germinated at different temperatures. Unchilled seed were planted in the field near Columbia, MO., at approximately 2-week intervals from early April to late June in 1982 and 1983. Germination indices obtained with chilled seed had higher correlation coefficients with field emergence than did those with unchilled seed. Germination percentage and germination rate index (GRI) of chilled seed at 25°C had the highest correlation, but germination indices at 30/20°C were also closely related to field emergence percentage. With chilled seed, highest coefficients were observed between germination indices obtained at low temperatures and emergence indices obtained with early plantings, and between germination indices obtained at high temperatures and emergence indices obtained with late plantings. Germination percentage and GRI obtained from chilled seed germinated at 25°C were able to evaluate emergence potential of these four perennial warm-season forage grasses over range of field conditions.
