Effect of Initial Seed Moisture Content on Emergence and Yield of Grain Sorghum1

Abstract

Emergence and yield of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) were studied as affected by the moisture content of seeds at sowing time. Sorghum seed sown with 8% moisture content emerged less than seed sown with either 11 or 14% moisture. Low initial seed moisture content and low substrate temperatures resulted in delayed radicle protrusion from the pericarp as well as a decrease in seed respiration rate during imbibition. Effects on emergence were great enough to be reflected in grain yields, especially under dryland conditions.