The germination and establishment of two annual pasture grasses (Hordeum leporinum Link and Lolium rigidum Gaud.)

Abstract

The germination and establishment of Hordeum lepovinum Link and Lolium rigidum Gaud., two Mediterranean annual grasses, were studied under controlled conditions. Results were related to the ecology of these species as pasture plants in southern Australia. Seeds of the two species germinated over a similar range of constant temperatures (8-30¦C); Hordeum germinated much more rapidly than Lolium at all temperatures. Lolium has a marked requirement for alternating temperatures for maximum germination, while Hovdeum has a weak or nil requirement. Both species withstood prolonged wetting at high temperatures without germinating or losing all viability. Prior soaking and redrying before germination increased the rate of germination of both species. Light rains which fall before the first germinating autumn rains usually wet the seed only for short periods and this further increases the advantage of Hordeum over Lolium in rate of germination. Hordeum germinated and established much more readily on the soil surface than did Lolium, even though Lolium absorbed water more rapidly. The success of Houdeum was due both to its rapidity of germination, which allowed it to establish before the soil surface dried out, and to its ability to germinate at high moisture tensions. Because of these features Hordeum leporinum has the potential to germinate earlier, more rapidly, and more freely than Lolium rigidum in the autumn of the Mediterranean region of southern Australia.