Comparison of Seed Germinating Vigor, Germination Speed and Germination Peak in Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars under Different Germination Conditions

Abstract

The study was initiated with Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.) to investigate germination and early establishment characteristics of new cultivars for a practical application to turfgrass establishment such as parks, athletic field and golf course etc. Fifteen cultivars were evaluated in different experiments. An alternative condition for a KB germination test required by International Seed 김 경 남 considerable variations in early germination characteristics among KB cultivars according to different environments. Early germination characteristics showed that all cultivars were 3 to 5 days faster in germination under ISTA conditions, when compared with natural conditions. The germination speed, measured as days to seed germination of 50% to 80%, was much faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Midnight' under ISTA conditions. But it was faster with 'Midnight II', 'Excursion' and 'Odyssey' under natural conditions. Differences was also observed in germination peak time with cultivars and growing conditions. It ranged 5.94 to 14.88 days under ISTA conditions and 4.71 to 13.06 days under natural conditions. Regardless of the environment conditions, the shortest cultivars were 'Odyssey' and 'Midnight II'. The longest ones were 'Nuglade' under ISTA condition and 'Moonlight' under natural conditions. Considering germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time, 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Midnight', and 'Odyssey' were regarded as excellent cultivars under ISTA conditions in terms of early establishment characteristics, while 'Midnight II', 'Excursion', 'Odyssey', and 'Courtyard' under natural conditions. These results suggest that an intensive germination test be needed prior to planting, for investigating the early germinating vigor, germination speed and germination peak time. Also, a proper cultivar selection and comprehensive site analysis for the growing environmental conditions should be done before turfgrass establishment such as golf course construction.

Genotypic variation in germination rate, seedling vigor, and seed phenotype of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars

“…Germination tests provide data on the speed of germination (i.e., germination rate) and/or the total germination percent. While germination rate is known to differ among Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (Maguire, 1962), few experiments have explored the potential genetic variability in germination rate among Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (Kim, 2015; Larsen et al., 2004).…”

Comparison of Germination Power, Germination Speed, and Germination Peak Time among Five Festuca Species

“…최근 국내에서 많이 이용되고 있는 다른 한지형 잔디인 크리핑 벤트그래스(Agrostis palustris Huds.) (Kim and Jung, 2008), 켄터키 블루그래스 (Kim, 2015) 및 퍼레니얼 라 이그래스 (Kim, 2013a) (Table 1). 발아실험은 국제종자검정협회 요구 조건인 ISTA 변온 환 경에서 수행하였다 (Anonymous, 1964 ISTA 변온 환경에서 정상적인 TF 초종의 종자 발아율은 85% 이상 요구되고 있다 (Beard, 1973).…”