Abstract

HERNANDEZ-GUZMAN, Filogonio Jesús et al. Germination and emergence of grass propagules in response to vigor tests. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.7, pp.1519-1532. ISSN 2007-0934.

Knowledge of grass seed vigor for semi-arid regions, after accelerated aging tests (AAT) and planting depths (PD) is important to differentiate the quality of propagules. The objective was to evaluate germination and emergence of diaspores (accessory bracts+caryopsis) and three caryopses sizes, for AAT and PD, under controlled conditions, from February to August 2011. Grasses evaluated Banderita, Navajita, Buffel and Rhodes. Their Caryopses were classified into small, medium and large through sieves. In AAT, each caryopsis size (CS) and diaspores remained for 12, 24 or 36 h at 42 °C and 100% relative humidity; Caryopsis were seeded by CS on paper and diaspores in peat moos, and normal seedlings produced were recorded. For PD, both CS and diaspores were seeded in Calcisol or Vertisol soil type at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 cm depth and recorded seedling emergence after 64 days. A randomized block designs with factorial arrangement was used and data was analyzed with GLM from SAS (Tukey, 0.05%). In native and introduced grasses after AAT germination decreased at lower CS and longer time of stress (p< 0.05). Similarly germination was higher by seeding diaspores vs. caryopsis, contrary to introduced (p< 0.05). For PD, both native and introduced grasses, higher emergence occurred at higher CS on each PD (p< 0.05) and emergence was higher by seeding diaspores vs caryopsis (p< 0.05), regardless of soil type; similarly a higher emergence was obtained between 0.5 and 3 cm and this decreased markedly at higher PD regardless of the propagules. Vigor and type of dispersal unit influence both germination and emergence, so taking into consideration this is a good way to develop alternatives to increase the establishment of rain-fed meadows in arid regions.

Keywords : caryopsis; diaspores; embryo; native grasses.

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