TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON THE GERMINATION OF HERBAGE LEGUMES IN NEW ZEALAND

Abstract

Percentage germination and germination rate (days to 75% germination) of 14 herbage cultivars from 5 legume species were assessed at constant temperatures of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20° and a fluctuating temperature of 5/1O°C. The percentage germination of white clover, red clover and lucerne was not affected by temperature. Germination of Woogenellup subterranean clover was reduced at 5"C, the germination of Mt Barker subterranean clover was reduced at 2O°C, and the germination of Maku lotus was reduced at 5°C and 5/10°C. Germination rates for all species slowed as temperatures moved away from the optimum, as did the number of days to the start of growth. The species order for germination rate was lucerne, white clover >subterranean clover > red clover >lotus at 10° and 5/1O°C, and subterranean clover (except cv. Woogenellup), white clover, lucerne>red clover>lotus at 5°C. Germination rates differed between subterranean clover cultivars, and also between individual seedlots of subterranean clover, red and white clover and lotus, particularly at 5°C. The implications of these results for pasture establishment are discussed. Keywords: germination rate, pasture establishment