Rating of Alfalfa Varieties for Cold Resistance by Germination in Solutions of Different Osmotic Values¹

Abstract

Seven alfalfa varieties differing in degree of winterhardiness were germinated in water and in 6‐atm mannitol solution (500 ml substrate) at 20 C in the dark. The delay in germination was expressed as the ratio between the rate of germination over the period at which most of the slope of the germination curve is near linear in the 0‐ and 6‐atm solutions, respectively. This ratio (R0R0 value) was found to be closely related to the apparent winterhardiness of the varieties.The test enabled fair separation between 19 and 21 seed lots of ‘Ranger’ and ‘Vernal’ alfalfa, respectively. The lots represented different generations of increase and were derived from a wide latitudal range of seed production areas. However, all were from the same harvesting year.

Parameters of cold tolerance in common vetch

“…Seeds were germinated in distilled water (Re) or in 9 atm d (-) mannitol solution (Rs), following the procedure described by DOVRAT & WALDMAN (1967). Seeds were germinated in distilled water (Re) or in 9 atm d (-) mannitol solution (Rs), following the procedure described by DOVRAT & WALDMAN (1967).…”