Reducing physiological imposed seedcoat dormancy of Ruby Valley pointvetch
1989
Hicks, L.S. | Lockerman, R.H. | Wiesner, L.E. | Hall, R.D.
Ruby Valley pointvetch (Oxytropis riparia Litv.) is an introduced legume that was first reported growing in an isolated area of Madison County, Montana, USA. Pointvetch has potential as a forage crop and for land resource management in highly saline soils, however, poor stand establishment due to a hard seedcoat is a major constraint to commercial use. The objectives of this research were to determine the best method for removing physiological seedcoat restrictions and to evaluate a quick-swell technique for verifying scarification effects. Seedlots of two pointvetch accessions (T-5637 and T-25635) were subjected to hot water, mechanical, and acid scarification in comparison to a hand-scarified control. Mechanical scarification with a laboratory scarifier for 20 to 30 seconds produced the greatest reduction in hardseed content and resulted in highest germination for both seedlots. Acid scarification was intermediate and hot water treatment had the least effect on reducing hardseed content. A 24-hour quick-swell seed assay was good a indicator for determining the degree of scarification required for high levels of germination. Seed quick-swell and germination results indicated that pointvetch can be mechanically scarified over a range of durations (5-30 seconds) without markedly increasing dead seeds or abnormal seedlings. Mechanical scarification has commercial application in reducing physiological seed dormancy and can be utilized to improve uniform stand establishment of crops with hardseededness.
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