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Tolerance of Desiccation in Germinating Seeds of Crested Wheatgrass and Russian Wildrye 1
Author(s) -
Hassanyar Amir S.,
Wilson A. M.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1979.00021962007100050018x
Subject(s) - germination , desiccation , elymus , sowing , biology , agronomy , shoot , agropyron , moisture stress , water stress , drought stress , horticulture , botany , poaceae , moisture , chemistry , organic chemistry
Inadequate rainfall and drying of soil frequently result in the desiccation of seeds during the interval between planting and germination. Early investigations suggested that crested wheatgrass [ Agropyron desertorum (Fisch., ex Link, Schult.)] may be more tolerant of desiccation than Russian wildrye ( Elymus junceus Fisch.) at the stage in which the seminal primary root is just beginning to protrude from the caryopsis. The objective of this study was to determine whether these species differ in tolerance at earlier stages of germination. Three sequential steps were accomplished in a germinator or plant growth chamber: a) an initial wet treatment in which germination of seeds progressed to either the early, the intermediate, or the advanced stage; b) a 4‐day stress treatment at various water potentials; and c) a germination or growth test conducted under favorable moisture conditions to evaluate the effects of temporary stress. Seeds were more susceptible to injury in the intermediate and advanced stages of germination than in the early stage. In the advanced stage of germination, temporary stress injured Russian wildrye more than crested wheatgrass. Water stress delayed and inhibited root growth more than shoot growth. Because inhibition of root development may adversely affect the subsequent growth and survival of seedlings, cultural practices are needed to reduce the severity of water stress at planting depth on semiarid lands.