Date Available

4-30-2014

Year of Publication

2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Agriculture, Food and Environment

Department/School/Program

Plant and Soil Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. David Williams

Abstract

Our research investigated whether priming switchgrass seeds with water or ethephon would increase stand establishment in the field. ‘Alamo’ seed germinated faster and grew taller than ‘Cave-in-Rock.Seeds primed for six days in water or for one day in ethephon 10 mM had the greatest seedling densities. In growth chamber environments seed priming were tested to hasten germination velocity. Seeds primed for two, four or six days in water germinated faster than unprimed seeds. Ethephon treatments reduced overall germination and germination velocity. Accent and Accent Q herbicides containing nicosulfuron are used to control weeds. To test ‘Alamo’ sensitivity to these herbicides, greenhouse evaluations were conducted. Seedlings treated with Accent Q had lower shoot fresh and dry weights than Accent treated seedlings. Seedling atrazine tolerance was examined in a greenhouse study at various growth stages (1, 2 and 4 true leaves). One and two true leaf were more sensitive to herbicide damage than the 4 leaf seedlings. To investigate difference in atrazine tolerance due to differential atrazine metabolism, 14C atrazine metabolism was examined in 1, 2 and 4 leaf ‘Alamo’ seedlings. 24-48 hours after exposure, 4 leaf seedlings metabolized atrazine at a greater rate than 1 and 2 leaf stage seedlings.

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