Abstract
AbstractFine fescue taxa differ in their field establishment rate but it is unclear if this is due to differences in germination rate or seedling growth rate. Research at Purdue University quantified differences in seed morphology, germination vigor, and seedling vigor among 30 cultivars of fine fescue (FF) taxa (Festuca spp.). Strong creeping red fescue (STCRF) (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra), slender creeping red fescue (SLCRF) (F. rubra ssp. littoralis), Chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. commutata), hard fescue (Festuca brevipila), and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) were compared with tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis), and, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Seed morphological characteristics differed among FF cultivars and species; however, there was no strong relationship between morphological characteristics and germination vigor. Estimated number of days until 50% germination and mean germination time among the 30 FF cultivars varied, with sheep fescue and Chewings fescue consistently having the slowest germinating cultivars and STCRF cultivars generally the fastest. Species with the fastest to slowest germination ranked as follows: perennial ryegrass > STCRF ≥ SLCRF ≥ hard fescue ≥ Chewings fescue ≥ sheep fescue ≥ tall fescue > Kentucky bluegrass. Seedling vigor measurements among FF indicated the three F. rubra ssp. (STCRF, SLCRF, and Chewings fescue) exhibited faster seedling vigor and greater shoot mass than hard fescue or sheep fescue. Results indicate that past observations of reduced field establishment rates of hard fescue and sheep fescue is primarily due to their slow seedling growth and not reduced germination speed.
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