The Influence of seed storage on germination of tall fescue during after-ripening period

After the harvest of tall fescue seed dormancy is present, indicating the reduction of germination. In conventional storage conditions for seed storage, we investigated the influence of three different ways of packaging (paper bags, canvas bags and plastic bags) to change the germination of seeds immediately after harvest, after 30, 60 and 90 days. After 30 days seed dormancy is reduced by 1 to 3% and germination was increased by 2-3%, while the impact of packaging had no significant effect.The decreasing trend in seed dormancy and increased germination even after 60 days continued in the same percentages. After 90 days of storage the contents of dormant seed was reduced to 22-35% and germination was increased to 65-72%

Efecto del almacenamiento de la semilla de Festulolium y especies relacionadas en su germinación y la calidad de plántulas

Tests of seed germination, seed dormancy and seedling growth were performed on 0-, 6-, 20- and 30-months-old seed lots of Festulolium in comparison with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis). Tests were performed on seeds harvested in 2 different years (2014 and 2015) resulting in no major difference between the years. Seed storage affected seed viability and dormancy and seedling growth in all 3 grasses. The maximum germination of Festulolium seeds was achieved 6 months after harvest (95% normal seedlings); germination decreased significantly thereafter. While maximum germination of L. multiflorum and F. pratensis seeds was also achieved following storage for 6 months, these germination rates (93 and 90%, respectively) were retained until at least 20 months in storage. After storage for 30 months, seed germination of Festulolium, L. multiflorum and F. pratensis had declined to 72, 79 and 83%, respectively. High germination in all species was associated with higher rates of seedling growth. In an artificial seed ageing test, a temperature of 41 °C (during 48 and 72 hours) was found to effectively rank seed lots for germination performance in all 3 grasses. This test seems to have application for use in the seed trade to identify seed lots which could deteriorate more rapidly in storage. Further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.Se realizaron pruebas de germinación y de crecimiento de plántulas provenientes de lotes de semillas de Festulolium almacenadas durante 0, 6, 20 y 30 meses, en comparación con raigrás italiano (Lolium multiflorum) y festuca de pradera (Festuca pratensis). En lotes de semillas cosechadas en 2014 y 2015 no se encontraron diferencias entre los años. El almacenamiento afectó la viabilidad y la latencia de las semillas y el crecimiento de las plántulas en las tres especies. La germinación máxima de las semillas de Festulolium se presentó 6 meses después de la cosecha (95% de plántulas normales), a partir de los cuales disminuyó significativamente. También las semillas de L. multiflorum y F. pratensis presentaron máxima germinación después de 6 meses (93 y 90%, respectivamente); estas tasas, sin embargo, se mantuvieron hasta al menos 20 meses de almacenamiento. Después de 30 meses, la germinación de las semillas disminuyó a 72, 79 y 83% para Festulolium, raigrás y festuca, respectivamente. La alta germinación en todas las especies se asoció con mayores tasas de crecimiento de plántulas. En una prueba rápida de envejecimiento artificial de semillas (temperatura de 41 °C durante 48 y 72 horas) fue posible predecir el comportamiento de germinación de las semillas de las tres especies. Esta prueba parece tener aplicación en el comercio para identificar lotes de semillas que podrían deteriorarse más rápidamente durante el almacenamiento. Se necesitan más estudios para verificar esta hipótesis

Acid and Temperature Treatments Result in Increased Germination of Seeds of Three Fescue Species

Efficient germination of fescue seeds is essential for successful establishment of meadows and pastures. This research was conducted to ascertain the effects of various acid and temperature treatments on seed germination in three fescue species: Festuca rubra, F (mina, and E pratensis. Seeds from different cultivars, populations, or lots were exposed either to four concentrations of sulfuric acid at three different time intervals (12 treatments) or six different temperatures at three different time intervals (18 treatments). Despite all belonging to the genus Festuca, the seed from different species responded differently to the treatments. The three optimum treatments for E rubra seed involved soaking in a 75% solution of sulfuric acid for 20 minutes (improved the germination rate by 19%), soaking in a 50% solution of sulfuric acid for 30 minutes (improved the germination rate by 18%) and exposure to either 60 degrees C or 70 degrees C for 90 minutes (improved the germination rate by 17%). For F. ovina seed, optimal treatments included soaking seeds for either 10 or 20 minutes in a 50% sulfuric acid solution (both treatments improved germination rates by 13%) or exposing seeds for 30 minutes in a 25% sulfuric acid solution and 80 degrees C for 60 minutes (improved germination rate by 12%). Two optimal treatments were identified for F. pratensis seed. Whereas the first involved soaking the seeds in a 75% sulfuric acid solution for 30 minutes (improved germination rates by 22%), the second involved either exposing the seeds to 90 degrees C for 90 or 60 minutes, or exposing the seeds to 80 degrees C for 90 minutes (improved germination rate by 21%). Our findings indicate that if fescue seed is to be sown during the autumn (two to three months after seed collecting), treating it with acid and temperature can significantly enhance its germination