Short communication. Effects of the duration of after-ripening period on seed germinations and seedling size in three fescue species

Abstract

After-ripening is a complex enzymatic and biochemical process resulting in the breakage of non-deep physiological dormancy. The experiment was set up to identify the minimum duration of storage after harvest for completion of after-ripening in meadow (Festuca pratensis Huds.), tall (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). The seeds were stored under ware-house conditions for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 days after harvest (DAH). After the storage periods, the seeds were tested for germination and the primary root length, shoot length and seedlings biomass were measured. The final counts in all three species amounted to 60-65% germination immediately after harvest, suggesting a medium level of embryonic dormancy. The after-ripening during storage improved the final germination in all three species with decreasing intensity. In meadow fescue, the final germination was significantly improved up to 150 DAH, while the seedling size did not change significantly. In tall and red fescue, after-ripening significantly improved the final germination up to 120 DAH, while the seedling size variables reached maximum values after 150 DAH. The obtained data can serve for the determination of proper storage duration management between harvest and sowing (autumn/spring) of the tested fescue species under agro-ecological conditions of south-eastern Europe.