Abstract
Because preharvest sprouting decreases quantity and quality of wheat grain, researchers need effective protocols to assess response to preharvest sprouting conditions. The aim of this study was to determine which temperature gives the greatest difference in seed germination and expression of seed dormancy in 10 spring wheat genotypes. The genotypes were grown in the field near Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2000 in a randomized complete block with four replicates. Seed samples were harvested at approximately 25% moisture content (wet weight basis) and dried to 12% moisture content with minimal after-ripening. Germination was under controlled environment at temperatures of 10, 15, 20 and 30 °C in darkness. A weighted germination index (WGI) was calculated. The analysis of WGI, for each temperature, showed highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) genotype effects on germination. Most genotypes decreased in WGI (increased dormancy) as temperature was increased from 10 to 30 °C. The greatest differences in seed germination tended to be at 15 °C and 20 °C. The level of seed dormancy depended on the genotype and germination temperature.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belderrok, B., 1968. Seed dormancy problems in cereals. Field Crop Abstr 21: 203–211.
Czarnecki, E., 1983. Breeding and selecting for preharvest sprouting resistance in red wheats. In: D.J. Mares (Ed.), pp. 45–53. Proc. 4th Intenational Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, USA.
DePauw, R.M. & T.N. McCaig, 1991. Components of variation, heritabilities and correlations for indices of sprouting tolerance and seed dormancy in Triticum spp. Euphytica 52: 221–229.
DePauw, R.M. & T.N. McCaig, 1989. Advances in the development of sprouting resistant white wheats. In: K. Ringlund, E. Mosleth, & D.J. Mares (Eds.), pp. 241–247. Proc. 5th International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, USA.
DePauw, R.M., T.N. McCaig & J.M. Clarke, 1995. Recombining sprouting resistance with agronomic traits, disease resistance, and end-use quality in white wheat. In: K. Noda & D.J. Mares (Eds.), pp. 191–195. Proc. 7th International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals. 1995, Center for Academic Societies, Osaka, Japan.
George, D.W., 1967. High-temperature seed dormancy in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop Sci 7: 249–253.
Hagemann, M.G. & A.J. Ciha, 1984. Evaluation of methods used in testing winter wheat susceptibility to preharvest sprouting. Crop Sci 24: 249–253.
Harrington, G.T., 1923. Forcing the germination of freshly harvested wheat and other cereals. J Agric Res 23: 79–100.
Knox, R.E., S.L. Fox, F.R. Clarke, J.M. Clarke, R.M. DePauw, N.K. Howes, K.C. Armstrong & J.D. Procunier, 1998. Genetic analysis of dormancy in Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum. In: A.E. Slinkard (Ed.), Vol. 4, pp. 45–47. Proc. 9th International Wheat Genetics Symposium. University of Saskatchewan Extension Press, Saskatoon, Canada.
Mac Key, J., 1976. Seed dormancy in nature and agriculture. In: Cereals and Research Communications, Vol. 4(2), pp. 83. Proc. 1st International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals.
Mares, D.J., 1992. Genetic studies of sprouting tolerance in red and white wheats. In: M.K. Walker-Simmons & J.L Reid (Eds.), pp. 21–29. Proc. 6th International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals. Amer. Assoc. of Cereal Chemists, St. Paul, MN, USA.
McCaig, T.N. & R.M. DePauw, 1992. Breeding for preharvest sprouting tolerance in white-seeded-coat spring wheat. Crop Sci 32: 19–23.
Olsson, G. & B. Mattson, 1976. Seed dormancy in wheat under different weather conditions. Cereal Res Commun 4: 181–185.
Paterson, A.H., M.E. Sorrells & R.L. Obendorf, 1989. Methods of evaluation for preharvest sprouting resistance in wheat breeding programs. Can J Plant Sci 69: 681–689.
Reddy, L.V., R.J. Metzger & T.M. Ching, 1985. Effect of temperature on seed dormancy of wheat. Crop Sci 25: 455–458.
Romagosa, I., F. Han, J.A. Clancy & S.E. Ullrich, 1999. Individual locus effects on dormancy during seed development and after ripening in barley. Crop Sci 39: 74–79.
SAS Institute, 1990. SAS/STAT Users Guide. Vol. 2 Version 6. 4th ed., SAS Inst., Cary, NC..
Stoy, V. & K. Sundin, 1975. Effects of growth regulating substances in cereal seed germination. In: Cereal Res Commun. Vol. 4(2), 1976, pp. 157–163. Proc. 1st International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals.
Strand, E., 1980. A seed dormancy index for selection of cereal cultivars resistant to preharvest sprouting. Cereal Res Commun 8: 219–223.
Vegis, A., 1964. Dormancy in higher plants. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 15: 185–224.
Walker-Simmons, M., 1987. ABA levels and sensitivity in developing wheat embryos of sprouting resistant and susceptible cultivars. Plant Physiol 84: 61–66.
Weisner, L.E. & D.F. Grabe, 1972. Effect of temperature preconditioning and cultivar on ryegrass (Lolium sp.) seed dormancy. Crop Sci 12: 760–764.
Wu, J. & B.F. Carver, 1999. Sprout damage and preharvest sprout resistance in hard white winter wheat. Crop Sci 39: 441–447.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nyachiro, J., Clarke, F., DePauw, R. et al. Temperature effects on seed germination and expression of seed dormancy in wheat. Euphytica 126, 123–127 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019694800066
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019694800066