Abstract

CHECOVICH, M.L  and  RUIZ, M.A. Variación en el nivel de dormición de la semilla en distintas variedades de la forrajera estival Panicum virgatum L. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.2, pp.165-170. ISSN 1669-2314.

Panicum virgatum L. is a C4 species tolerant to drought conditions; it is considered as an alternative to forage panorama of the Semiarid Pampean Region (Argentina). But it has seed dormancy which causes problems in its establishment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration of seed dormancy in 10 varieties of P. virgatum locally grown, and the effect of storage temperature on the dormancy. Sequential trials were conducted in germination chamber (20-30°C, photoperiod 8 hs.) and not performed any treatment to break dormancy. The varieties of P. virgatum did not show a similar response to germination capacity. Pathfinder, Cave- in-Rock, Trailblazer, Alamo, kanlow and Greenville showed an increased ability to germinate until the 210 days post-harvest, this may be due to loss of dormancy. Alamo Pizzo and Caddo decreased their viability, while Blackwell and Summer did not show a definite pattern. At endpoint (210 days post-harvest) some varieties reached 100% germination (Blackwell, Pathfinder, Trailblazer, Kanlow and Caddo), other between 50 and 70% (Summer, Greenville, Alamo and Alamo Pizzo), and only one less than 50% (Cave-in-Rock). The lower storage temperatures (7 and -20ºC) prolonged the seed dormancy compared to those stored at room temperature.

Keywords : Switchgrass; Germination; Storage; Cultivars.

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