Drying of meadow fescue seeds of different moisture contents: Changes in dormancy and germination

Abstract

In the past few years in Europe grass seed production declines. This tendency is especially pronounced in meadow fescue. Seed shedding and therefore yield losses are the problem in seed production. This can be reduced if seed of higher moisture contents is harvested. The impacts of drying temperatures of 70, 60, 50, 40 and 22°C on changes in dormancy and germination of seed harvested with moisture contents of 45, 35 and 25% were observed in the present study. The analysis was done immediately after seed drying, then three months later and eight months later. Seeds with the moisture content of 45% that were dried at 70°C were not dormant at all after harvest, but seeds were damaged, which resulted in reduced germination. Drying temperatures of 40°C and 50°C resulted in maximum germination of seed harvested with 45% moisture after three months. After eight months the best germination of all seeds was obtained at 22°C and 40°C. The seed ageing test confirmed faster deterioration of seeds harvested with higher moisture contents. Seed harvested with 25% moisture and dried at 22°C is the most suitable seed for longer storage.

Drying of forage grass seed harvested at different maturity and its utility value in autumn and spring sowing time

“…On the other hand, cocksfoot seeds harvested with the moisture content of 45% and dried at the temperatures ranging from 50°C to 70°C had germination of 81%, which points out that this species is less susceptible to higher drying temperatures. Nevertheless, seeds of both cocksfoot and species of the genus Fescue harvested with a lower percentage of the (Stanisavljević et al, 2013). Nonetheless, the highest germination (92%) in cocksfoot eight months after harvest was determined in seeds harvested with the moisture content of 35% and dried at the temperature of 40°C.…”

“…Drying temperatures in dryers can result in the reduction of seed dormancy (Stanisavljević et al, 2012;2013), but can also affect protein stability, enzymic activities, damage of cell membranes and mitochondria, which can lead to the seed germination reduction (Bewley, Black, 1994). Tall fescue is characterised by high adaptability to stress environments , while cocksfoot is particularly tolerant to high temperature stress .…”

Envejecimiento acelerado y vigor de semillas del pasto Brachiaria brizantha cv Insurgente

“…La calidad fisiológica de la semilla está relacionada con la capacidad que tiene para emerger bajo condiciones de campo (Bhering et al, 2003). Al respecto, la prueba de germinación es el procedimiento más usado y aceptado; sin embargo, no es la más adecuada para garantizar el establecimiento de la semilla en campo (Copeland y McDonald, 2001), debido a que se realiza bajo condiciones controladas de humedad, temperatura y sustrato (Stanisavljevic et al, 2013). En una prueba de vigor, el objetivo es diferenciar aquellos lotes que a pesar de tener una viabilidad similar, presentan distinta capacidad para germinar y emerger.…”

“…The physiological quality of the seed is related to its ability to emerge under field conditions (Bhering et al, 2003). In this regard, the germination test is the most widely used and accepted procedure; however, it is not the most adequate to guarantee seed establishment in the field (Copeland and McDonald, 2001), because it is carried out under controlled conditions of humidity, temperature and substrate (Stanisavljevic et al, 2013).…”

“…La disminución de la germinación al aumentar la temperatura se atribuye a que se aceleran y afectan los procesos fisiológicos de la semilla, aumentando su deterioro y reduciéndose los procesos de respiración y biosíntesis (Stanisavljevic et al, 2013). Asimismo, se observa que el lote 2 presentó en promedio 74% mayor germinación, en comparación con el cosechado en el otoño (lote 1), debido al bajo porcentaje de semilla pura, viabilidad y germinación del lote 1 por haberse cosechado a menor madurez fisiológica.…”