Influence of Water Requirement and Seed depth on the Germination of Seeds of Some Forage Crops


Abstract in English

This study was carried out in a protected area at Rangeland and Dry Environment Research Station, belongs to ACSAD and Aleppo university in the Muslumieh, Aleppo, during 2004, by cultivating 11 plant species belong to three different families, Fabaceae (3 species), Poaceae (7 species) and Rosaceae (one species), using 4 moisture Levels (5, 10, 15 and 20 mm), and 6 seeding depths (0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 cm). Results showed that the seeds of all the investigated species failed to germinate at the moisture level of 5 mm, while Onobrychis sativa (36.2%), Agropyron elongatum (53.9%), Agropyron cristatum (36.1%), Phalaris tuberose (41.1%), Dactylis glomerata (12.2%) and Sanguisorba minor (1.12%) germinated under 10 mm humidity. The seeds of all investigated species germinated at the higher moisture levels (15 and 20 mm), but the germination ratio varied between the species. The seeds of all studied species were capable of germinating when placed at the soil surface and seeding depth of 3 cm. The seeds of Agropyron elongatum (73.3%), Agropyron cristatum (13.3%), Phalaris tuberosa (36.7%) were capable of germinating at depth of 5 cm. The seeds of all studied species failed to germinate at a the planting depth of 7 cm.

References used

Carleton, A. E., C. S. Cooper and L.E. Wiesner. (1968). Effect of seed pod and temperature on speed of germination and seedling Elongation of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia). Agron. J. 60:81-84
Dowiling, P. M. R. J. Clements and J. R. Mc William. (1971). Establishment and survival of pasture species from seeds sown on the soil surface. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 22:61-74
Esler, K.J. and N. Phillips. (1994). Experimental effects of water stress on semiarid karoo seedling: implication for field seedling survivorship. Journal of Arid Environment 26:325-337

Download