Some factors influencing the germination and early seedling development of pasture plants

Abstract

Some of the important environmental and plant factors influencing the germination and early seedling development of a number of temperate grasses and legumes have been investigated under controlled conditions. Significant differences were found between legumes and grasses in a number of characters which appear to be important for establishment under field conditions, including quantitative aspects of water absorption, rates of germination, and early root elongation. Ryegrass was superior to all other species in its ability to germinate under conditions of moisture stress. The lower limit for germination was from 4 to 6 bars below the limiting potential found for the other species, and thus may be one of the important factors contributing to the ease of establishment of this species in the field. The early onset of autotrophic growth in young seedlings, as judged by the utilization of external nutrients and the attainment of positive net photosynthesis, occurs within 5 days of imbibition under favourable conditions, well before the exhaustion of endogenous reserves. This highlights the need for adequate water, nutrients, and light during this early stage of seedling development. It also suggests that reserves available to the seedling are probably in excess of requirements under favourable conditions, and may be of potential value under adverse conditions. These results are discussed in relation to the definition of field problems, and to some likely breeding objectives to improve establishment.