Germination of Seeds of 'Paloma' and 'Nezpar' Indian Ricegrass

Abstract

Seedlots of the cultivars 'Paloma' and 'Nezpar' Indian ricegrass [Oryzopsis hymenoides (R. & S). Ricker] were classified as to seed type, germination, and germination in response to the additive enhancement treatments of removing the lemma and palea by dissection, enriching the germination substrate with gibberellin (GA3), and cool-moist stratification at 2 degrees C for 2 weeks. The seedlots contained different proportions of polymorphic seed size, color, and covering types. Seedlots of 'Paloma' were dominated by big black seeds while lots of 'Nezpar' contained roughly equal propertions of big and small black seeds. The various seed types had different germination characteristics both under control and enhancement treatments. The initial germination of untreated seeds of either cultivar was very low; however, maximum germination with enhancement did not exceed 50%.