Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-m8qmq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T14:10:42.924Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of laboratory germination, soil temperature and moisture content on the emergence of spring wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. M. Khah ,
R. H. Ellis  and
E. H. Roberts
E. M. Khah
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading, RG6 2AT
R. H. Ellis
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading, RG6 2AT
E. H. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading, RG6 2AT
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

In field investigations in a sandy-loam soil, probit percentage seedling emergence of commercial and aged seed lots of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Timmo) was a positive linear function of probit percentage laboratory germination and mean soil temperature and a negative linear function of percentage soil moisture content over the ranges 12·1–15·5% moisture content and 7·0–11·0 °C. In a laboratory investigation using the same soil a similar form of relationship was observed in six lots over a range of constant soil moisture contents between 10 and 18% and at constant soil temperatures of 8 and 20 °C. In all cases there was no interaction between any of these determinants of seedling emergence.

Linear relationships between the mean rate of seedling emergence in the field (i.e. reciprocal of mean emergence time) and probit percentage laboratory germination and mean soil temperature were shown, but there was no obvious effect of mean scil moisture content between 12·1 and 15·5% on rate of field emergence. Seed lots of different percentage laboratory germination had the same base tsmperature for emergence (1·9 °C): differences between seed lots in mean emergence rate were due to different thermal time (day-degree) requirements for emergence; the thermal times required were a function of probit percentage germination in a standard laboratory test. The implications of these results in providing better advice on sowing rates are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 107 , Issue 2 , October 1986 , pp. 431 - 438
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bleasdale, J. K. A. (1973). Plant Physiology in Relation to Horticulture. London: MacMillan.Google Scholar
Covell, S., Ellis, R. H., Roberts, E. H.Summerfield, R. J. (1986). The influence of temperature on seed germination rate in grain legumes. I. A comparison of chickpea, lentil, soyabean and cowpea at constant temperatures. Journal of Experimental Botany 37, 705–715.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, J. R. S.Hanson, A. D. (1974). Tests for cereal yield heterosis based on germinating seeds: a warning. Euphytica 23, 71–77.Google Scholar
Eixis, R. H.Roberts, B. H. (1980 a). Improved equations for the prediction of seed longevity. Annals of Botany 45, 13–30.Google Scholar
Ellis, R. H.Roberts, E. H. (1980 b). Towards a rational basis for testing seed quality. In Seed Production (ed.Hebblethwaite, P. D.), pp. 605–635. London: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Ellis, R. H.Roberts, E. H. (1981). The quantification of ageing and survival in orthodox seeds. Seed Science and Technology 9, 373–409.Google Scholar
Garcia-Huidobro, J., Monteith, J. L.Squire, G. R. (1982). Time, temperature and germination of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.). I. Constant temperatures. Journal of Experimental Botany 33, 288–296.Google Scholar
Gulliver, R. L.Heydecker, W. (1973). Establishment of seedlings in a changeable environment. In Seed Ecology (ed. Heydecker, W.), pp. 433–461. London: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Hegarty, T. W. (1973). Temperature relations of germination in the field. In Seed Ecology (ed. Heydecker, W.), pp. 411–431. London: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Heydecker, W. (1977). Stress and seed germination: an agronomic view. In The Physiology and Biochemistry of Seed Dormancy and Germination (ed.Khan, A. A.), pp. 237–282. Amsterdam: Elsevier/ North/Holland Biomedical Press.Google Scholar
International Seed Testing Association (1985). International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology 13, 299–513.Google Scholar
Longden, P. C. (1972). Effects of some soil conditions on sugar-beet seedling emergence. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 79, 543–545.Google Scholar
Perry, D. A. (1978). Report of the vigour test committee, 1974–1977. Seed Science and Technology 6, 159–181.Google Scholar