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Title: Field emergence and plant density of sand bluestem lines selected for increased seed germination.

Author
item Springer, Timothy
item WYNIA, R - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item REA, G - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2012
Publication Date: 11/1/2012
Citation: Springer, T.L., Wynia, R.L., Rea, G.L. 2012. Field emergence and plant density of sand bluestem lines selected for increased seed germination. Crop Science. 52:2826-2829.

Interpretive Summary: Water is essential for plant growth and under field conditions is often inadequate for satisfactory plant development. In previous research, plant populations of sand bluestem were selected at low soil moisture conditions for increased seed germination. Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii Hack.) populations AB-medium Syn-1 and Syn-2, and CD-tall Syn-1 and Syn-2 were developed from populations AB-medium Syn-0 and CD-tall Syn-0. The objective of this research was to verify if selection also increased field emergence and plant density. Field testing involved planting the six populations at three locations (Manhattan, Kansas; Woodward, Oklahoma; and Knox City, Texas) over a three-year period. Field emergence percentages were different from each other and averaged 52.5, 57.4, and 61.1% for Syn-0, Syn-1, and Syn-2 populations, respectively. Plant densities were also different from each other and averaged 13.8, 15.2, and 16.1 plants m-2 for Syn-0, Syn-1, and Syn-2 populations, respectively. It was concluded that selection for increased seed germination at low moisture conditions also produced plant populations with better field emergence and higher plant density.

Technical Abstract: Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii Hack.) populations AB-medium Syn-1 and Syn-2, and CD-tall Syn-1 and Syn-2 were developed from populations AB-medium Syn-0 and CD-tall Syn-0 by recurrent selection for increased seed germination in low water potentials. The objective of this research was to verify if selection also increased field emergence and plant density. Field testing involved planting the six lines in a randomized block design replicated four times at three locations over a three-year period. Field emergence and seedling density were determined using the frequency grid method at 30, 60, and 90 days after planting. Data were analyzed using a general linear mixed model analysis of variance. Field emergence percentages were different from each other (P < 0.05), and averaged 52.5, 57.4, and 61.1% for Syn-0, Syn-1, and Syn-2 populations, respectively. Plant densities were different from each other (P < 0.05), and averaged 13.8, 15.2, and 16.1 plants m-2 for Syn-0, Syn-1, and Syn-2 populations, respectively. Thus, selection for increased seed germination in low water potentials also produced plant populations with better field emergence and higher plant density.