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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301708
Title: Experimental seed coatings improve seed germination and cover in water repellent soils

Author
item MCMILLAN, M - Aquatrols Corporation Of America
item CISAR, J - University Of Florida
item Madsen, Matthew
item WILLIAMS, KARAN - University Of Florida
item KOSTKA, S - Aquatrols Corporation Of America

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2014
Publication Date: 6/6/2014
Citation: Mcmillan, M.F., Cisar, J.L., Madsen, M.D., Williams, K., Kostka, S.J. 2014. Experimental seed coatings improve seed germination and cover in water repellent soils [Abstract]. Meeting Abstract. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Water restrictions and high temperature stress can inhibit seed germination and prevent optimal turfgrass coverage. A trial was conducted to determine if an experimental coating on seed would enhance seed emergence under these difficult conditions. A greenhouse study was initiated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA in May, 2013. Pots were filled with fine sand, seeded with perennial ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.) and top-dressed with fine sand. Seed coating consisted of an experimental coating at two rates 6 % w/w (ASET4000-6) and 12% w/w (ASET4000-12). Irrigation regimes were a high irrigation (0.65 cm every day) (HR) and a low irrigation (0.65 every other day) (LR). The greenhouse was not temperature controlled, therefore temperatures in May ranged from 27-49 C°. Days to first emergence was measured and percent cover was recorded weekly. Under the HR irrigation, ASET4000-12 significantly increased germination rate when compared to the control but was not significantly different from ASET4000-6. Seed treated with ASET4000-12 and ASET4000-6 reached percent coverage of 65% and 50%, respectively, which was significantly greater when compared to untreated seed coverage of 22%. In the heat of the greenhouse, ASET4000-12 maintained a significantly greater percent coverage than any other treatment. In the LR irrigation regime, ASET4000-6 and ASET4000-12 significantly increased seed emergence when compared to the control. ASET4000-6 significantly improved percent coverage when compared to the other treatments. By the end of the trial, both ASET4000-6 and ASET4000-12 coated seeds maintained greater than 18% coverage while the untreated seeds covered only 1% of the pot. ASET4000-6 and ASET4000-12 may be useful for improving seed emergence and establishment under high temperature and deficit irrigation.