Seed Dormancy and Germination in Ecotypes of Johnsongrass

Abstract

We studied germination of seeds of 44 morphologically distinct, vegetative ecotypes of johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.). Seeds of most ecotypes were highly dormant. Without low temperature pretreatment, best germination occurred with continuous fluorescent light, a KNO3 substratum, and an alternating 20 to 35 C temperature regime. Pretreatment of the seeds for 2 weeks at 10 C, followed by a temperature shift to 40 C for 2 hr was effective in breaking seed dormancy. Germination of each of 12 ecotypes, from harvests in each of 2 years, was markedly similar. Interpretation of the evidence suggests that seed dormancy is largely imposed by the relative degree of mechanical restriction afforded by the seed coat.