Hodgson-Kratky, K. (2015) Breeding for Improved Germination under Water Stress, and Genetic Analyses of Flowering Habit and Male Sterility in Russian Dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz). M.S. Thesis, The University of Guelph, Guelph.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Seed Germination of Five Poa Species at Negative Water Potentials

  AUTHORS: Tim L. Springer, Jason J. Goldman

  KEYWORDS: Negative Water Potential, Poa, Seed Germination

  JOURNAL NAME: American Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol.7 No.3, March 24, 2016

  ABSTRACT: Under field conditions water is often inadequate for satisfactory seed germination. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of simulated dry conditions on germination and seedling growth of five bluegrass (Poa) species, including: Texas, P. arachnifera Torr.; annual, P. annua L.; mutton, P. fendleriana Vasey; Kentucky, P. pratensis L., and Sandberg, P. secunda J. Presl. bluegrasses. Fifty-seed samples of each species were germinated at water potentials of -1.6, -0.8, -0.4, -0.2, and 0 MPa for a 42-d period. Annual and Sandberg bluegrass tolerated moisture stress at germination better than the other species, requiring 14 d to reach 40% germination in water of -0.8 MPa potential. Kentucky bluegrass required 21 d to reach 40% germination under similar conditions. Mutton and Texas bluegrass were the least tolerant of low water potentials, requiring 42 d to reach 20% germination. Selection for increased seed germination at low water potentials should be possible in Poa species assuming the trait has moderate heritability.