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Factors Influencing Water Absorption by Seeds of the Crested Wheatgrass Complex¹

Seeds of crested wheatgrass Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult., Fairway wheatgrass A. cristatum (L.) Gaertn., and their hybrid were subjected to preplanting wetting treatments for various durations and rate of water absorption was determined. Within the temperature range 4.5 to 27.8 C absorption appeared directly proportional to temperature. Absorption was very rapid at the beginning, decreasing with time. In 12 hr seeds absorbed about half the total water absorbed in 90 hr. Percent increase in seed weight gave a linear relation with log of time. Rate of absorption differed significantly with different strains and seed lots. Breeder seed produced in different years on a single field of ‘Nordan’ crested wheatgrass yielded significantly different regressions, only partially explained by age, size of seed, or precipitation the year the seeds were produced. Variations in quality or quantity of water used or method of treatment did not yield consistent differences in rate of absorption.

Key Words: Age • Time • Temperature • Size • Source

² Agronomist and Range Scientist, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, Logan, Utah 84321.

Received for publication February 4, 1970.