Enhancement of seed germination in three grass species using chemical and temperature treatments

Abstract

Seeds of three forage plant species, cocksfoot, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with good amount of dormancy were chemically treated (25%, 50%, 75% and 98% H2SO4 ) for different durations and exposed to different temperatures (40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C and 90°C) for varying periods with an aim to decrease seed dormancy and increase seed germination. Three groups of seeds based on after ripening period of 0, 3 and 8 months were subjected to these treatments. Immediately after harvest, germination of cocksfoot and tall fescue seeds increased by 24%, but only 13% in perennial ryegrass. Three months after harvest it was possible to increase germination by 20% (cocksfoot), 18% (tall fescue) and 6% (perennial ryegrass). Eight months after harvest it was still possible to increase seed germination of cocksfoot and tall fescue by 4-5% whereas, in ryegrass dormancy was completely lost after 8 months storage.