Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to estimate the effect of four pH levels of germination media (4, 5, 6 and 7) on seed germination energy (GE), germination (G), percentage of dead or infected seeds (DIS), percentage of hard seed (HS), normal (NS) and abnormal seedlings (AS), root length (RL), shoot length (ShL), seedling length (SeL), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) of seedling, and seedling vigor index (SVI) in two red clover genotypes (cv. K-17 and cv. Kolubara). The experiment was conducted in the laboratory conditions of the Institute for Animal Husbandry in Belgrade in January 2011. The pH levels of germination media had significant effect on the NS (P<0.01), AS (P<0.01), RL (P<0.05), ShL (P<0.01), SeL (P<0.01), FW (P<0.01) and SVI (P<0.05). The lowest GE, G, NS, ShL, SeL, FW and SVI were found at pH 4. Also, the highest DIS, HS and AS were found at pH 4. The genotype had significant effect on HS (P<0.01), RL (P<0.01), ShL (P<0.01), SeL (P<0.01), FW (P<0.01) and SVI (P<0.01). Genotype and pH levels of germination media did not affect on GE, G, DIS and DW significantly.
Highlights
Red clover is planted on area of about 120.000 ha in Republic of Serbia, thanks to its adaptation to more acid and shallower soils, especially in mountainous regions
The lowest germination energy (GE), G, NS, shoot length (ShL), seedling length (SeL), fresh weight (FW) and seedling vigor index (SVI) were found at pH 4
The highest dead or infected seeds (DIS), hard seed (HS) and abnormal seedlings (AS) were found at pH 4
Summary
Red clover is planted on area of about 120.000 ha in Republic of Serbia, thanks to its adaptation to more acid and shallower soils, especially in mountainous regions. Red clover tolerates acid soils (pH 5.2 – 6.0) better than alfalfa (Katić et al, 2006). Duke (1983) reported that red clover is better adapted than alfalfa at lower pH levels of 5.6 - 6.5. Taylor and Smith (1995) reported that the red clover grows well at a pH of 5.0 to 6.0 if all nutrient needs are satisfied, but a pH above 6.0 and adequate Ca are needed for maximum yields. Tanaka et al (1984), Yokota and Ojima (1995), Bukvic et al (2007a; 2007b), reported that the pH might affect legume growth and development independently of other environmental factors. Significant correlations between field and laboratory measurements of germination have been examined in several leguminous crop species: alfalfa (Klos, 1999; Bukvic et al 2007a), soybean (Szyrmer and Szczepanska, 1981), common bean (Dickson and Boettger, 1984; Saminy et al, 1987), and white clover (Bukvic et al, 2007b; Grljušić et al, 2008)
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