TEMPERATURE AND GERMINATION RELATIONSHIPS OF FESTUCA VARIETIES

Many studies have shown that water potential at planting will affect t he germination rate and final germination of Festuca varieties. Limite d information is available about the extent of variability in temperat ure dependence of germination among different Festuca varieties, Our o bjective was to study germination at five temperatures for a wide rang e of Festuca varieties. Festuca seeds were screened For germination du ring 28 days in polyethylene growth pouches held at constant temperatu res of 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, or 30 degrees C . The germination percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased as the t emperature increased from 10 degrees to 15 degrees C and decreased the reafter. The variety 'Clemfine' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schre b) had the greatest germination percentage and 'Arctured' red fescue) Festuca rubra L.) had the least when averaged across the five temperat ures, Conversely the average time to germination (A(tg)) was greatest at 10 degrees C and least at 30 degrees C. Reaching a germination leve l of 80% or move of the seeds required 14 d at 10 degrees C, 9 d at 15 degrees C, 8 d at 20 degrees C, and 7 d at 25 degrees C or 30 degrees C. Base temperatures required for germination of Festuca species were 3.2 degrees C for rapid germinators, 3.6 to 6 degrees C for medium ge rminators, and 4 to 6 degrees C for slow germinators, Heat units calcu lated for the vapid germinators were 129 degrees C d 120 to 140 degree s C d for medium germinators, avid 135 to 191 degrees C d for the slow germinators. Germination decreased as heat units increased. The A(tg) and heat units regressions explained 91% and 66% of the variations in germination, respectively, The optimum temperature for germination of Festuca varieties was 15 degrees C. Seeding time for some Festuca var ieties could be varied based on expected seed zone temperatures for pa rticular locations. Rapidity and total germination are the most obviou s factors distinguishing Festuca varieties. This study demonstrates th e variability in rate and extent of varieties germination in response to temperature.