Germination Characteristics of Festuca pallescens, a Patagonian Bunchgrass with reclamation Potential

DEFOSSÉ, G. E.; BERTILLER, M. B.; ROBBERECHT, R.

SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISTA-INT SEED TESTING ASSOC

Lugar: Bassersdorf; Año: 1995 vol. 23 p. 715 - 723

0251-0952

The influence of light, temperature, and soil water content on the germination of Festuca pallescens, an important forage species native to the steppe zone of Patagonia, Argentina, was examined in the laboratory.  Seeds of F. pallescens collected along an elevational gradient from 650 to 950 m.a.s.l. on the Media Luna Ranch (43 63 S, 71 25 W) were tested for viability and germination.  In petri dishes containing top soil of the collection area, 10 seeds were sown at a depth of 5mm (dark treatment) and 10 on the soil surface (light treatment).  The experiment was replicated five times at soil water content of 4, 8, and 16 % and temperatures of 5, 10, 15, and 20°C.  Seeds were considered germinated when either the coleoptile reached 5 mm for the light treatment, or when it protruded the soil surface for the dark treatment.  Festuca pallescens seeds showed a viability of 99.5 %.   Exposure to continuous light delayed the beginning of germination but had no influence on total germination percentages.  A soil water content of 16% and medium to high temperatures (10, 15, and 20°C) rapidly promoted germination, which reached 97% after 20 days of incubation. Germination was reduced by 40% at a soil water content of 8%.  In all cases, a 5 °C soil temperature delayed the beginning of germination and slightly reduced its final germination percentages.  Sporadic germination occurred at 4% soil water content occurred at 10°C, and none at other temperature.  Under field conditions, sowing should be practiced during the fall, when soil moisture and temperature are optimum for germination.