Publication Date

1997

Description

Seeds of seven cultivars of lovegrass species Ermelo, Morpa and Tanganyika weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. curvula, Don Eduardo INTA (E. curvula var. robusta), Cochise lovegrass (E. lehmanniana x E. trichophera), A-68 Lehmann lovegrass (E. lehmanniana Nees) and Catalina boer lovegrass (E. curvula var. conferta) were germinated at different water potentials. Total germination percentage differed within cultivars according to water availability, although there were no great differences between the germination of the cultivars within any given water potential. The only exception was Don Eduardo INTA which had lower germination values. A marked fall in germination was registered as from -0.6 MPa, which became practically non-existent at -1.5 MPa . Root and shoot length was measured on all cultivars of Eragrostis curvula var. curvula and shortening was observed when the water potential was reduced.

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Effects of Water Stress on Germination and Seedling Growth of Lovegrass Species

Seeds of seven cultivars of lovegrass species Ermelo, Morpa and Tanganyika weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. curvula, Don Eduardo INTA (E. curvula var. robusta), Cochise lovegrass (E. lehmanniana x E. trichophera), A-68 Lehmann lovegrass (E. lehmanniana Nees) and Catalina boer lovegrass (E. curvula var. conferta) were germinated at different water potentials. Total germination percentage differed within cultivars according to water availability, although there were no great differences between the germination of the cultivars within any given water potential. The only exception was Don Eduardo INTA which had lower germination values. A marked fall in germination was registered as from -0.6 MPa, which became practically non-existent at -1.5 MPa . Root and shoot length was measured on all cultivars of Eragrostis curvula var. curvula and shortening was observed when the water potential was reduced.