Effects of Selected Seed Treatment on Germination Rates of Five Range Plants

Abstract

Effects of various treatments on germination rates were determined for Lebmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmunniuna Nees), ‘Cochise’ lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees X Eragrostis tricophoru Coss & Dur), Boer lovegrass (Erugrostis curvulu var. conferta Nees), blue panicgrass (Panicurn untidotule Retz.) and four-wing saltbush (A triplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.) seeds. Rates were approximations of time to 50% germination, and seed treatments included applications of potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, gibberellic acid, and heat desiccation. Germination rates could be increased, but treatment effects were not uniform between seed lots within a species or among species. Desiccation at 70” C for 24 hours was particularly effective in increasing germination rates of Boer and Lehmann lovegrass seeds. Increased rates of germination of certain species might aid in establishment of range seedings made under limited moisture conditions of the Southwest. A relatively high rate of germination is believed to be a key characteristic of various plants adapted for seeding semiarid environments, promoting germination during ephemeral moisture periods (Jordan 1981). Germination rates have not been relevant or of major concern in most germination research and generally not considered as a measure of seed quality for semiarid seedings. Consequently, quantitative data are scarce, and standard proce