Abstract
In order to study the effects of seed size and genotype on nutrient uptake and growth characteristic of wheat, a field experiment was conducted in a split plot randomized block design with genotypes as main plots and seed size as subplots, with four blocks at the Roseworthy Campus, the University of Adelaide in 2010. Two experiments were designed (1) a laboratory experiment with seeds germinated in wet filter paper for 14 days to determine coleoptile length (2) a pot experiment with three harvest times to determine the effect of seed size and genotype on seedling vigor, the relation between seed nutrient content. The wheat genotypes used were Burunga, Excalibur, Janz, Machete, RAC655, Trident, Spear, Tatiara, Yarralinka (Triticum aestivum L.) and Yallaroi (Triticum durum). Obtained results showed that genotype and seed size had significant effect on total nutrient content, coleoptile length, emergence efficiency and root and shot dry matter production. Tatiara had more amount of Fe, Cu and K concentration in wheat seed among all genotype. Maximum amount of B, Mn, Mg and Na were observed inJanz, Yarralinka, Machete and Yallaroi. Among all genotype, large coleoptile length was recorded in Spear and small of it was observed in Yallaroi and among seed sizes large seeds had maximum amount of coleoptile length. Tatiara, Exculibur, Spear and RAC655 had a significantly greater seedling growth (shoot and root) compared to other genotype. Plant grown from large seeds compared to those grown from small seeds was more vigorous and produces greater dry matter for all genotypes. Key words: Seed size, genotype, nutrient content, germination characteristic, wheat.
Highlights
Rapid seedling establishment is an important requirement for successful crop production in dryland farming systems
Large coleoptile length was recorded in Spear and small of it was observed in Yallaroi and among seed sizes large seeds had maximum amount of coleoptile length
Later in the season, when moisture is limited, larger root systems produced from large seed explore more of the soil to extract more soil moisture without accompanying increases in transpiration and this may contribute to higher grain yield under limited soil moisture conditions (Mian and Nafziger, 1994). This probably accounts for the better seed size and grain yield of the plots sown with large seed. It may be concluded from this experiment that positive relation was found among large seed grade and genotype in all characteristic of wheat that are investigated in this research
Summary
Rapid seedling establishment is an important requirement for successful crop production in dryland farming systems. Amico et al (1994) concluded that higher vigor that occurred in larger seed is due to the larger food reserves in these seeds They noted a positive linear relationship between seed weight and emergence in the field. A similar observation was made by Arunachalam et al (2003), while working with the tree species, and this was attributed to the larger food reserves in the larger seeds. These results are in conformity with Singh (2003) in wheat. Higher germination and emergence were determined in triticale (Kaydan and Yamur, 2008), but besides higher germination percentage
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