Effects of storage and seed treatments on germination of Brachiaria decumbens [grass]
1982
Whiteman, P.C. (Queensland Univ., St Lucia (Australia). Dept. of Agriculture) | Mendra, K.
Germination of Brachiaria decumbens was shown to be controlled by two dormancy mechanisms. Primary dormancy was variably expressed in freshly harvested seed and overcome by 'after ripening' during storage of up to three months. Long-term dormancy may be due to mechanical restriction imposed by the seed coat and to inhibition of oxygen diffusion due to the closely appressed, hard, shiny palea and lemma structures enclosing the caryopsis. Removal of these structures by hand allowed germination percentages up to 100 in naked caryopses. Impermeability of the seed coat declined with time in storage up to one year. Germination of intact stored seed reached 40% to 55%. Further storage at 10 deg C and 29% RH up to 4 years 6 months did not result in increased germination in intact caryopses, although viability was maintained at 80% to 90%. Scarification in concentrated H(,2)SO(,4) for 20 minutes increased germination of stored seed to 72%.
Show more [+] Less [-]Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by European Union