Open AccessCan Solid Matrix Priming With GA3 Break Seed Dormancy in Eastern Gamagrass?
Author(s) -
C. Rogis,
L. R. Gibson,
A. D. Knapp
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of range management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2162-2728
pISSN - 0022-409X
DOI - 10.2458/azu_jrm_v57i6_rogis
Subject(s) - germination , vermiculite , gibberellic acid , dormancy , priming (agriculture) , seed dormancy , agronomy , biology , stratification (seeds) , horticulture , chemistry , botany
Development of methods for breaking seed dormancy in eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides, L.) could increase its use. Solid matrix priming, the controlled hydration of seed in a system of solid carrier and water, has been used with some success to enhance germination in warm-season grasses. gibberellic acid (ga3), a known promoter of eastern gamagrass germination, can be added to solid matrix priming systems. In this study, systems were evaluated for conditioning eastern gamagrass seeds using the solid carriers Agro-Lig, MicroCel E, and Vermiculite #5. GA3 was added in 0.01 M concentration solutions to systems with water potentials of -0.4 and -0.6 MPa in Agro-Lig and -0.2 and -0.4 in MicroCel E and Vermiculite #5 and compared with systems with deionized water. Priming seed with GA3 increased germination to 18% compared with 13% without GA3. MicroCel E and Vermiculite #5 were suitable materials for controlled hydration of eastern gamagrass seed. Germination was only 11% in Agro-Lig compared with 16%-19% for MicroCel E and Vermiculite #5. Priming with GA3 does not appear to be as successful at breaking seed dormancy as cold, wet stratification.