Studies on the Adaptability of Green Manure and Forage Crops to Paddy Field Conditions. : (2) Germination of their seeds in relation to the length of the periods of soaking.

Abstract

This experiment was carried out in 1954 at the Kanto-Tosan Agricultural Experiment Station, as a step in a series of studies on the adaptability of green manure and forage crops for paddy field. Twenty-nine species, including Leguminoceae, Gramineae and Cruciferae were used as materials; and the effects of duration of soaking the seeds on their germination were examined. The results obtained are summarized as follows;- 1) Seeds of white clover, Ladino clover as well as hairy vetch were observed to be capable of germinating under submerged conditions. It has been said that the seeds of small-seeded species of plants generally show some tendency to germinate under water. But it was found that the fact was not always so. 2) According to the relationship between the length of soaking period and germination capacity of the seed, those crops might be classified into the following three groups; tolerable, medium and non-tolerable. Generally speaking, the seeds of Cruciferae belong to the tolerable group, the germination being not reduced through a long period of soaking. The seeds of species of Gramineae belong to the non-tolerable group. And of Leguminoceae, some species blong to the tolerable group and others to the non-tolerable. 3) These facts should be useful for the breeding of green manure and forage crops, or for the selection of crops suitable for paddy field condition.