Effect of seed aging on the seed quality and seedling growth of timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.)

Abstract

Timothy grass is a fodder grass mostly grown as a pure stand or in mixed stands with fodder legumes at higher elevations. It is cultivated for its high yields and the supreme quality of roughage containing Timothy grass. There are different methods for preserving the seed quality of fodder grasses relative to the following parameters: species, variety, harvest methods, postharvest treatments, as well as the storage temperature and air humidity. Poor seed germination is often caused by the presence of dormant seeds which fail to germinate despite ideal conditions in the field or laboratory. After a certain storage period, dormant seeds start germinating, but prolonged storage periods result in seed aging which is associated with reductions in seed germination, seedling growth and the total mass of the root system. The seed quality features of four Timothy grass seed lots (the 'Foka' cultivar), at ages of 3, 15 and 27 months, were examined in this study according to the share of dormant, germinated and dead seeds, as well as abnormal seedlings. Upon assessing seed germination, the stem length (cm), radicle length (cm) and fresh weight (g) of seedlings were measured. Different seed lots were found to exert no effect on the seed quality parameters examined and the growth of seedlings. Conversely, the seed age had a significant impact (P<0.001 to P<0.05) on the seed quality parameters examined and the seedling growth.

Influence of seed pre-treatment and temperatures during germination of four seed lots of Festulolium

“…The accepted definition of seed vitality is the sum of seed properties that represent seed potential for germination in different conditions (Perry 1980), which determines the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors (Hodgkin and Hegarty 1978;Finch-Savage and Bassel 2016); cultivation technologies (Bewley et al, 2013); and storage period (Stanisavljević et al, 2020(Stanisavljević et al, , 2019(Stanisavljević et al, , 2016. This also explains the significant influence of the seed lot for seed quality in our tests (Tables 1 to 4).…”

“…Seed germination is affected by a number of factors, such as the period of seed storage (Stanisavljević et al, 2019(Stanisavljević et al, , 2020. The most important factors for seed germination are also the temperature and relative humidity in the storage (Viera et al, 2001).…”

Characterization of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) population for growth traits and summer dormancy

“…Indeed, the persistence of perennial herbaceous plants is mainly determined by plant survival over successive summer droughts [4]. Dactylis glomerata L. (Orchardgrass or Cocksfoot) is the fourth most important forage grass in the world [5], classified as one of the most important perennial grasses, specifically in arid conditions [6]. Cocksfoot is widely distributed in most European countries, North America such as the USA and Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia [7].…”