Issue Date
1997-07-01Keywords
humidification treatmentseed moisture
seed treatments
seed weight
seedlings
vigor
Artemisia tridentata
seed germination
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Bai, Y., Booth, D. T., & Roos, E. E. (1997). Effect of seed moisture on Wyoming big sagebrush seed quality. Journal of Range Management, 50(4), 419-422.Publisher
Society for Range ManagementJournal
Journal of Range ManagementDOI
10.2307/4003310Additional Links
https://rangelands.org/Abstract
Seed germination and seedling vigor of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis) were evaluated following manipulation of seed moisture, a practice benefitting many species. At the time of harvest, seed moisture ranged from 2.3 to 9.0% for 5 collections tested and seeds with moisture between 5 to 6% had the highest and most rapid germination. Seed moisture changed during storage, but germination percentage was not affected by post-harvest seed moisture change, indicating that germination is related more to habitat or genetic variations than the initial moisture content. Seedling vigor increased after storage, suggesting that after-ripening may be required. Seeds of 2 commercial collections were subsequently humidified at 2, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C for up to 15 days, or to 60% moisture content. Seed moisture increased most gradually at 2 degrees C and seeds held at 10 degrees C attained a higher moisture level than at other temperatures. Germination percentage, germination rate, and seedling vigor were similar between treatments and controls regardless of seed moisture change. Imbibition temperature did not affect germination percentage or seedling vigor, but the time to 50% germination decreased with increasing imbibition temperature. We conclude that artificial seed moisture management did not affect germination percentage, germination rate, or seedling vigor of this species when tested under optimum moisture conditions. Germination is more related to habitat or genetic variables than initial seed moisture content.Type
textArticle
Language
enISSN
0022-409Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.2307/4003310