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.
Recommended Citation
Monin, Whitney Marie, "Improving Methods for the Successful Establishment of Switchgrass" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences. 40.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_etds/40
