Effects of Adenosine Monophosphate on Germination of Forage Species in Salt Solutions

Abstract

Seed germination can be a limiting step in the establishment of plant species on saline soils. There are indications that the level of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the seed may be a limiting factor in seed germination under stress. The objective of this research was to determine if added AMP would improve germination of grass and legume seeds under saline conditions. The seeds of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb. 'K-31'), bluegrama [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud.], crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L) Goertn 'Nordan'], switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. 'Blackwell'), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. 'Lynn'), tall wheatgrass [Agropyron elongatum (Host) uv. 'Platte'], Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus Fisch.), western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. 'Dawson') were germinated in petri dishes at varying levels of salinity with and without AMP. Time required for germination was shortened for all species, except switchgrass and western wheatgrass, with added AMP. Percent germination of alfalfa was increased with AMP at 14 days in 0.068 M sodium chloride and of tall fescue in the same concentration of sodium sulfate (dibasic). Perennial ryegrass, Russian wildrye and alfalfa demonstrated similar responses at 0.102 M sodium chloride. The germination of alfalfa was improved with AMP at 14 days in 0.034 M sodium sulfate. Adenosine monophosphate tended to have little effect when severe germination depression occurred from high salt concentrations.