ISHS Acta Horticulturae 504: VI Symposium on Stand Establishment and ISHS Seed Symposium
AFTER-RIPENING AND AGING AS INFLUENCED BY ANOXIA IN SWITCHGRASS (PANICUM VIRGATUM L.) SEEDS STORED AT 60°C |
| Authors: | Z.-X. Shen, G.E. Welbaum, D.J. Parrish, D.D. Wolf |
| Keywords: | germination, dormancy, oxygen, nitrogen, moisture content, temperature |
| Abstract:
Elevated storage temperatures can accelerate both after-ripening and aging of seeds. This research aimed to see if anoxic conditions might “disconnect” the two processes, allowing after-ripening of dry switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) seeds to proceed while holding aging in check under physiologically very high temperature (60°C). Seedlots were adjusted to an initial moisture content (MC) of 55 g kg-1 and stored in sealed jars that were first vacuumed and flushed with air or 99.99% nitrogen. To further ensure an air-free environment during a second storage experiment with initial MC of 75 g kg-1, jars filled with nitrogen were sealed inside plastic bags flushed with nitrogen. Germinability increased from 4% to about 80% in 32 d for seeds stored at 55 g kg-1 MC whether in air or nitrogen. After 32 d storage in air or nitrogen, about one-half to one-third of seedlings were abnormal. Germinability of seeds with 75 g kg-1 MC increased from 4% to 65% after 13 d at 60°C in nitrogen. Germinability of the seeds at 75 g kg-1 MC in the air-flushed treatment increased to 58% by 7 d but decreased to 26% by 13 d. In switchgrass, less aging occurred in seeds stored in nitrogen with MC of 75 g kg-1, but after-ripening seemed to occur readily in either air or nitrogen at both MC. | |
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