Temperature and Water Strees Effects on Germination of Ruby Valley Pointvetch (Oxytropis riparia Litv.)
1986
Delaney, R. H. | Abernethy, R. H. | Johnson, D. W.
The frequent saline and high moisture environments associated with high elevation hay meadows prohibit the use of most forage legume species. Ruby Valley pointvetch (Oxytropis riparia Litv.) has been observed in saline and wet meadows in Southwestern Montana. Our objectives were to evaluate the sensitivity of pointvetch germination to temperature and osmotic stress levels. Seven constant germination temperatures ranged from 5 to 35°C. The NaCl and PEG-imposed stress levels ranged from 0.0 to −3.0 MPa with intervals of −0.5 MPa. Hard seed content ranged from 87 to 96%, depending on seed lot. Germination of pointvetch was maximal between 10 and 30°C compared to 5 to 30°C for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Pointvetch has the capability for over 90% germination in −2.0 MPa NaCl solutions, while alfalfa germination was reduced 70% below the control values by −1.0 MPa NaCl media. Pointvetch germination in PEG 8000 solutions was unaffected by solution potentials down to −1.5 MPa. Alfalfa germination responded similarly to NaCl and PEG-imposed osmotic stress, while pointvetch germination was less affected by NaCl than by PEG-imposed stress. The germination tolerance of pointvetch to osmotic and salt stress is unique and warrants further study.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library