Abstract:

Seeds can normal germinate when absorb a certain amount of water for some time. In this process, seeds will consume external water, and then the changes will affect the seeds on the rate of water absorption, which final leads to the difference of seed germination rate. Taking three turfgrass as the objects, this study simulated subsurface drip irrigation by limiting the irrigation quantity, which discussed the changes of seed imbibition and germination under 10 water gradients. Results showed that the processes of seed germination were rapid in the initial stage and slow in the later stage, then stable in the end. When irrigation quantity increased to a certain extent, the cumulative germination rate could achieve the maximum value, but when exceeded this boundary, it would inhibit the seed germination. Among the three turfgrasses, perennial ryegrass was most sensitive to water, so its cumulative seed germination rate firstly reaches steady state, while Kentucky bluegrass was the slowest. The result could describe the relationship between external water variation and germination rate in the process of germination and contributed to estimate the optimal water of seed germination and improved water use efficiency.