Comparison of Germination Characteristics and Various Pre-treatment Methods for Enhancing Germination on Zoysiagrass

Zoysiagrass seeds had low germination or lack of germination uniformity under natural condition. To improve the final germination percentage of zoysiagrass seeds, we investigated the methods of proper pre-treatment to enhance germination rate of zoysiagrass. Seeds were subjected to the testa scarification and four types of seed priming methods, namely, hydro priming (distilled water), osmotic priming (polyethylene glycol -0.5 MPa, -1.0MPa, -2.0 MPa), halo priming (Potassium nitrate 100 mM, 200 mM, 400 mM), and solid matrix priming (seed : microcel-E : distilled water = 4:1:8) with and without 25% KOH treatment in the testa. The scarification improved the germination rate and reduced the germination time. Osmotic priming (PEG -0.5 MPa) with scarification were significantly increased the seed germination rate and decreased MGT, and T 50 . Seed germination rate obtained by osmotic priming (PEG -0.5MPa) with scarification increased above 60% in comparison with natural condition. Conclusively, scarified and primed zoysiagrass seed germinated more rapidly and uniformly in the study. The present results suggested that PEG priming treatment with KOH treatment prior to sowing could improve germination percentage, and this method makes us establish the early zoysiagrasses in the field.