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Evaluating the
potential of seed priming techniques in improving germination and early
seedling growth of various rangeland
grasses
Ihsan
Qadir1, Z. H. Khan1, R.
A. Khan
1and Irfan Afzal2
Abstract:
Poor and erratic germination is a sever problem in stand establishment
of range grasses. In this study, the potential of seed priming
techniques in improving germination and early seedling growth of three
rangeland grasses (viz. buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris (L.),
dhaman grass (C. setigerus Vahal), and blue panic grass (Panicum
antidotale Retz.) was evaluated in a laboratory trial. For priming,
seeds were soaked in well aerated solution of CaCl2, KNO3,
KCl and CaSO4 (each having 10 and 50 mM solution) for 24 h.
Both hydropriming and untreated seeds were considered as control
treatments. Maximum germination of buffel grass was recorded from
osmopriming (10 mM KNO3) while in dhaman and blue
panic grass low concentration of CaSO3 10 mM followed
by priming with 50 mM KNO3 proved the best.
Maximum plumule length was recorded in CaSO4 and 50 mM
CaCl2 while less mean germination time (1.91 and 2.06) was
recorded in untreated control and 10 mM CaCl2
respectively. Osmopriming with 10 mM or 50 mM KNO3
can be successfully employed to improve the germination and
seedling vigor in bufffel grass and low level of CaSO4 to
improved dhaman grass and panic grass performance in rangeland.
1Department of Forestry, Range management and Wildlife, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2Department
of Crop Physiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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