Abstract
Under field conditions water is often inadequate for satisfactory seed germination. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of simulated dry conditions on germination and seedling growth of five bluegrass (Poa) species, including: Texas, P. arachnifera Torr.; annual, P. annua L.; mutton, P. fendleriana Vasey; Kentucky, P. pratensis L., and Sandberg, P. secunda J. Presl. bluegrasses. Fifty-seed samples of each species were germinated at water potentials of -1.6, -0.8, -0.4, -0.2, and 0 MPa for a 42-d period. Annual and Sandberg bluegrass tolerated moisture stress at germination better than the other species, requiring 14 d to reach 40% germination in water of -0.8 MPa potential. Kentucky bluegrass required 21 d to reach 40% germination under similar conditions. Mutton and Texas bluegrass were the least tolerant of low water potentials, requiring 42 d to reach 20% germination. Selection for increased seed germination at low water potentials should be possible in Poa species assuming the trait has moderate heritability.
Highlights
The genus Poa consists of more than 300 species that occur in temperate regions throughout the world [1] [2]
The effects of water potential treatment were linear (P < 0.01) and quadratic (P < 0.01) for Sandberg bluegrass, and germination was complete in 21 d at all water potential treatments (Figure 2)
Moisture stress affected the percentage of seed germination, rate of seed germination, and seedling growth of the Poa species tested
Summary
The genus Poa consists of more than 300 species that occur in temperate regions throughout the world [1] [2]. Known as “bluegrass” in North America and “meadow-grass” in Europe and Asia, many of the species are important pasture grasses which are palatable and nutritious to livestock [2]. Of the 75 species listed, Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis L.) is undoubtedly the most common and occurs in all 50 states of the USA [4]. Kentucky bluegrass has world importance where it is used for turf and for livestock forage [2]. Annual bluegrass (P. annua L.) is of world importance as a weed and as a turfgrass and has been reviewed by Vargas and Turgeon [5].
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