EVALUATION and ENHANCEMENT of SEED LOT QUALITY in EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum Dactyloides (L.) L.]
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2010 EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] Cynthia Hensley Finneseth University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Finneseth, Cynthia Hensley, "EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.]" (2010). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 112. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/112 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Cynthia Hensley Finneseth The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] _________________________________ ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION _________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Cynthia Hensley Finneseth Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Robert Geneve, Professor of Horticulture Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Cynthia Hensley Finneseth 2010 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] is a warm-season, perennial grass which is native to large areas across North America. Cultivars, selections and ecotypes suitable for erosion control, wildlife planting, ornamental, forage and biofuel applications are commercially available. Plantings are commonly established from seed; however, seed quality and dormancy are barriers to establishment. The objective here was to investigate parameters that contribute to inconsistent performance of this seed kind to subsequently improve seed lot quality. Forty-two seed lots were used, with seed fill and germination potential ranging from 78- 100% and 11-91%, respectively. Actual germination and dormant seed ranged from 0-40% and 1-85%, respectively. Seed count per pound ranged from 3195 to 8344 and was influenced by genotype. Alternating laboratory temperature regimes were generally more effective in promoting germination than constant temperatures. Optimal germination occurred at 15/25, 20/30 or 20/35 ºC (16/8 hours), but was not consistent across cultivars or seed lots. These data suggest that germination temperature contributes to inconsistent laboratory germination and poor stands observed for untreated and pretreated seeds sown under field conditions. Eleven primary dormancy breaking treatments were tested and most improved germination. Although not commercially feasible, cupule removal plus caryopsis scarification hastened germination and completely eliminated seed dormancy. Soaking in H2O2 (18 hr) improved germination, but the effect was not consistent. Moist chilling (5 or 10 °C) was generally superior to other treatments and remains the most simple, effective and consistent dormancy-breaking treatment, although duration varies by seed lot. Benefits of moist chilling and H2O2 treatment were retained for short periods in seeds dried from approximately 55% to 13% moisture content. Removal of empty and light-weight cupules improved seed lot purity and germination, although removal of as much as 40% of the volume was necessary. The priming treatments tested were less than satisfactory in improving germination or the range of germination temperatures compared to moist chilling treatment alone. Eastern gamagrass seed lot quality is highly variable, but can be improved. Multiple physical and physiological targets of opportunity have been identified to improve seed lot quality in eastern gamagrass. KEYWORDS: Tripsacum dactyloides, seed lot quality, seed lot enhancement, germination, dormancy breaking Cynthia Hensley Finneseth May 7, 2010 EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] By Cynthia Hensley Finneseth Dr. Robert Geneve Director of Dissertation Dr. Charles T. Dougherty Director of Graduate Studies Date: May 7, 2010 RULES FOR THE USE OF DISSERTATIONS Unpublished dissertations submitted for the Doctor's degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgments. Extensive copying or publication of the dissertation in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this dissertation for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ DISSERTATION Cynthia Hensley Finneseth The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 EVALUATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SEED LOT QUALITY IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] __________________________________________________ DISSERTATION __________________________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Cynthia Hensley Finneseth Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Robert Geneve, Professor of Horticulture Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Cynthia Hensley Finneseth 2010 This volume of work is dedicated to my family, most especially in memory of my father, William E. Hensley, as well as my grandparents, Newt and Ida Norvell and A.B. and Mary Hensley. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Robert Geneve for guiding my graduate studies and committee members Dr. Doug Archbold, Dr. Carol Baskin and Dr. Dennis Egli, and outside representative Dr. Terry Conners, for their participation in this project. I also recognize the input of many past, current and honorary members of the Seed Biology Group at the University of Kentucky for helping me develop as a seed scientist and specifically, Dr. Ken Wells and Dr. Dennis TeKrony, who contributed to the desire and acquisition of skills to obtain this degree. I also appreciate the guidance and counsel of Dr. Tim Phillips regarding flow cytometry and identification of plants, Julie Beale of the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab for diagnostic assistance, and Jim Lempke at the UK Arboretum for seed collection privileges. In addition, the kind and attentive assistance of Sharon Kester in greenhouse and laboratory facilities and field planting as well as Marcy Rucker with laboratory and field studies was ever appreciated. Next, I wish to thank my fellow graduate students Amy Fulcher, Amy Poston Lentz and Laura Wood for assistance and support during this project as well as Mary Van Rossler and Angela Schoegenderfer for numerous statistical consultations. I also appreciate the administrative support of Dean Scott Smith, Dr. Nancy Cox, Dr. Linus Walton, Dr. Eli Miller, and Dr. Bill Thom. I am especially grateful to Karen Nichol for all her contributions throughout this project. The current and former staff at the UK Seed Testing Laboratory including Tina Tillery, Amy Lentz, Beth Nichol, Nining Sutardjo, Kent Von Lanken and Janice Zimmer deserve special recognition as well as students and temporary employees Darcie Butts, Jon Collett, Krista Lydle, Barry Rice and R.J. Battison as well as Tim Geneve, Laura Wood, Bob Hurst and Jessica Bates, iii who assisted with planting and data collection. Additionally, my colleagues at UK’s Division of Regulatory Services – Pat Baber, Cathy Buckingham, David Buckingham, Noel Johnston, Steve McMurry, Frank Sikora, Chris Thompson, David Terry and Connie Williams – have my gratitude for their interest and assistance at various stages in the project. I also must express my gratitude to Jimmy May (May Gamagrass, Auburn, KY) and Randy and John Seymour (Roundstone Native Seed, Upton, KY) for suggestions, encouragement and generous donations of seed lots for this project. Appreciation is extended to the individuals who provided other seed lots