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Induced Seed Dormancy in Weeping Lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula 1
Author(s) -
Voigt P. W.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1973.0011183x001300010023x
Subject(s) - dormancy , germination , imbibition , biology , seed dormancy , agronomy , eragrostis , horticulture
Induction of dormancy in seeds of weeping lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees, by cool temperatures imposed during imbibition was first observed during germination trials of several warm‐season grasses. The purpose of the work reported here was to define the conditions necessary for the induction of this dormancy. Variables studied included: temperature during imbibition, length of temperature treatment, light conditions during treatment and evaluation, and age of seed. An experiment was also conducted to determine if dormancy could be induced in seeds planted in soil. Studies were conducted in growth chambers and greenhouses using several lots of ‘Morpa’ weeping lovegrass. Dormancy was not induced in a 3‐year‐old seed lot; it was induced only in darkness in a 2‐year‐old seed lot and was induced in darkness, and to a lesser extent in light, in a 1‐year‐old seed lot. Dormancy was not induced at an alternating temperature of (minimum/maximum) 2/7 C within 35 days. It was induced with 21 days at 7/13 C; with 14 days at 13/18 C; and with 7 days at 18/24 C. Germination was normal at 24/29 C. Dormancy was induced in seed planted in soil. Temperature‐induced dormancy appears to be a mechanism that can maintain and extend seed dormancy in weeping lovegrass. It is at least partly responsible for dormancy induced in nondormant lovegrass seeds planted in cool soil.