Rangeland Ecology & Management

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IMPACT OF VARYING TEMPERATURE AND OSMOTIC PRESSURE ON GERMINATION OF TWO DRYLAND LEGUMES
Author
Schellenberg, Michael P.
Gao, Fuguang
Kehler, Melissa
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2014
Body

With future environmental conditions predicted to change to higher temperatures and drier environment combined with data indicating these trends may already beginning to occur the question of which will be adapted needs to be asked. In this experiment, two dryland legumes [Cicer milkvetch (Astragulus cicer L.) and Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.)] were selected to compare their ability to germinate under increased temperature and lower water availability conditions.  The experiment considered two-factors: germination water availability and germination temperature. Germination water potentials had osmotic potentials of 0,-0.5,-1.0 MPa, respectively. They were achieved using Polyethylene glycol dissolved in distilled water to make the desired solution, distilled water was used as the control; Germination temperatures were eight values ranging from 15℃ to 35℃ in 5℃ increments. Warmer temperatures, exceeding 25⁰C, decreased germinations as did lower water potentials. Purple prairie clover had a greater number of germinants than cicer milkvetch at the higher temperatures and greater water potentials suggesting better adaptation to the predicted future growing environment.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Orlando, FL