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Published in Crop Sci 13:76-79 (1973)
© 1973 Crop Science Society of America
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Induced Seed Dormancy in Weeping Lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula1

P. W. Voigt2

Induction of dormancy in seeds of weeping lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees, by cool temperatures imposed during imbibition was first observed during germination trials of several warm-season grasses. The purpose of the work reported here was to define the conditions necessary for the induction of this dormancy. Variables studied included: temperature during imbibition, length of temperature treatment, light conditions during treatment and evaluation, and age of seed. An experiment was also conducted to determine if dormancy could be induced in seeds planted in soil. Studies were conducted in growth chambers and greenhouses using several lots of ‘Morpa’ weeping lovegrass.

Dormancy was not induced in a 3-year-old seed lot; it was induced only in darkness in a 2-year-old seed lot and was induced in darkness, and to a lesser extent in light, in a 1-year-old seed lot. Dormancy was not induced at an alternating temperature of (minimum/maximum) 2/7 C within 35 days. It was induced with 21 days at 7/13 C; with 14 days at 13/18 C; and with 7 days at 18/24 C. Germination was normal at 24/29 C. Dormancy was induced in seed planted in soil.

Temperature-induced dormancy appears to be a mechanism that can maintain and extend seed dormancy in weeping lovegrass. It is at least partly responsible for dormancy induced in nondormant lovegrass seeds planted in cool soil.

Key Words: Seed germination • Seed persistence • Temperature • Light

1 Cooperative investigations of the Plant Science Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Published with the approval of the Director, Oklahoma Agricultural Experimeut Station, as Manuscript No. 2421.

2 Research Geneticist, PSRD, ARS, USDA, and Assistant Professor, Agronomy, Oklahoma State University, U. S. Southern Great Plains Field Station, Woodward, Okla. 73801.

Received for publication July 27, 1972.




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