Comparison of the effects of soil matric potential and isotropic effective stress on the germination of Lactuca sativa

Abstract

The matric potential contributes positively to the isotropic effective stress operating in the solid framework of a soil system. Collis-George and Hector (1966) suggested that the matric potential may influence seed germination through its contribution to the effective stress in the solid framework surrounding the seed. Experiments are described which separate the effects of matric potential on seed germination into those that can be attributed to the free energy of the soil water and those that can be attributed to the effective stress in the soil system. The results clearly indicate that (1) seed germination is influenced by the isotropic effective stress in the solid framework of the soil system, and (2) the influence of matric potential on seed germination in the range 0 to - 400cm of water can be wholly attributed to the isotropic effective stress in the solid framework and not to the free energy of the soil water as defined by the matric potential. These conclusions are discussed in terms of the behaviour of other organisms in response to an applied matric potential.