Germination characteristics of several grass species as affected by limiting water potentials imposed through a cracking black clay soil

Abstract

The effects of limiting water potentials on the germination characteristics of 12 grasses were studied. Germination proper was prevented in all species at water potentials well short of wilting point and different species had their germination prevented at different potentials. Generally the native grasses required wetter conditions to germinate than the exotic grasses, although there were some exceptions. A partial germination condition, caused by limited water availability, occurred to differing degrees amongst the species. Some species retained their viability when desiccated in the partially germinated condition, but other species lost their viability. The partial germination phenomenon appears important to the germination ecology of some species but not to others.