Determination of svitchgras sprouting energy and seed germination

Abstract

Svitchgras (Panicumv virgatum L.) is a new crop for Ukraine. But its cultivation on degraded lands is important in order the solid fuels to produce. Reproduction of this crop by seed is most favorable way. Svitchgras seed is characterized by a high state of calm and especially immediately after harvesting. Current methods for the quality of seed determining cannot be used to assess the intensity of Svitchgras germination, which is inherent in long dormancy. The article highlights the ways to determine the intensity of sprouting and period of accounting of Svitchgras sprouting energy and seed germination. Seed pre-cooling and its term are significantly influenced on the intensity of seed germination. During the four days cooling is provided intensity of germination increasing on the seventh day after sowing by the sprouting at a constant temperature of 20 °C on 15% compared with the control. During four days seed germination at variable temperature after pre-cooling on the 10th and subsequent dates of accounting the intensity of germination was significantly higher than the germination at a constant temperature, due to the influence of low temperature on resting state of seed. With the use of two methods the accounting date of sprouted seed that characterize its sprouting energy is determined. The basis is M.K. Fisova methodology of sprouting energy accounting period in which the vigor is determined by minimum number of days during of which the maximum number of culture seed is germinating. The 10th day after sowing is the term of Svitchgras seed energy of germination definition.