• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2017

This study was initiated to investigate seed germinating vigor, germination speed, and establishment characteristics of Festuca species under natural conditions ($5-25^{\circ}C$). Germination rate was 62.0% in CRF 'Audubon' to 97.0% in TF 'Olympic Gold'. It was greater with TF over fine-type fescues, being TF>SF>CF, HF>CRF. The germination speed, measured as days to seed germination of 50% through 80%, was fastest with TF, medium to high with CF, medium with HF and SF, and slowest with CRF. However, it was approximately 4 days slower under natural conditions, as compared with that under alternative conditions ($15-25^{\circ}C$). Germination peak time was much faster with TF. It ranged from 0.73 to 1.84 days with TF, being 1.45 days in average. But it varied with 2.16 to 11.75 days among fine-type species. The peak time was longer in order of SFCF>SF>HF>CRF.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate early germination characteristics and germination pattern of new cultivars of creeping bentgrass (CB, Agrostis pall/stris Huds.) under natural room temperature conditions and to analyze differences between alternative and natural conditions. Seven cultivars of CB were tested in the study. Daily and cumulative germination patterns were measured and analyzed on a daily basis. Significant differences were observed in germination pattern, days to the first germination, days to 50% germination, days to 85% germination, and germination rate among cultivars under different environments. The first germination in all entries was initiated between 4 and 5 days after seeding (DAS) under alternative conditions, while between 6 and 8 DAS under natural conditions, being 2 to 3 days later as compared with that of alternative conditions. As for the first germination percentage, it was generally 5 to 25% under alternative conditions. However, 'Penn A-1', 'Penncross', and 'Penn A-4' cultivars showed a vigorous germination, producing 50 to 70%. Under natural room temperature conditions, it was 5 to 10% for the most entries, except 'Penncross', 'L-93', and 'Penn A-4' cultivars which vigorously produced 20 to 50%. Days to the 50% germination in CB resulted in 4 to 10 DAS under alternative conditions, while 6 to 15 DAS under natural conditions, being 2 to 5 days later than under alternative conditions. Days to the 85% germination were 5.90 to 11.75 DAS under alternative conditions and 7.95 to 12.50 DAS under natural conditions. 'Penn A-1' and 'L-93' were the fastest cultivars under alternative and natural conditions, respectively. Regardless of the temperature conditions, the longest cultivar in germination was 'T-1', being over 11 DAS. In-depth comparative data on germination characteristics and germination patterns among CB cultivars would be usefully applied for a practical CB turf establishment in golf course construction etc.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.567-573
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• 2010

Research was initiated to investigate early establishment characteristics and germination pattern of fine-textured fescues (FF). Six varieties from Chewings fescue ($Festuca$ $rubra$ L. ssp. $commutata$ Gaud., CF), creeping red fescue ($F.$ $rubra$ L. ssp. $rubra$ Gaud., CRF), hard fescue ($F.$ $ovina$ ssp. $longifolia$ Thuill., HF) and sheep fescue ($F.$ $ovina$ L., SF) were evaluated in the study. An alternative environmental condition requiring a FF germination test by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was applied in the experiment, consisting of 8-hr light at $25^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at $15^{\circ}C$ (ISTA conditions). Daily and cumulative germination patterns were measured and analyzed on a daily basis. Significant differences were observed in germination pattern, days to the first germination, days to 50% germination, days to 60% germination, and germination rate. The final germination percentage was variable with species and varieties, being 40.25 to 82.00% at the end of study. There were considerable variations in early germination characteristics and germination pattern among FF species. The first germination in all entries except HF was initiated between 5 and 6 DAS (days after seeding) under ISTA conditions, while HF between 6 and 7 DAS, being 1 day later. It was 8 to 10 DAS in days to the 50% germination, which was 2 to 4 days after the first germination date. Days to the 60% germination were 9.10 to 14.80 DAS under ISTA conditions, being 5.70 days in differences among the entries. CF 'Jamestown II' and 'Shadow II' and HF 'Aurora Gold' were the fast varieties. The slowest one was HF 'Rescue 911'. Among FF species, turf establishment speed was becoming faster in CRF, SF, HF and CF in this order. Information on differences in germination characteristics and pattern from this study would be usefully applied for golf course design and construction, when established with FF.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2003

Research was Initiated to investigate germination characteristics of cool-season grasses (CSG). Several turfgrasses were tested in different experiments. Experiments I and III were conducted under a room temperature condition of 16$^{\circ}C$ to 23 $^{\circ}C$ and under a constant light condition at 25 $^{\circ}C$, respectively. An alternative environment condition that is a requirement for a CSG germination test by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was applied in the Experiment II, consisting of 8-hr light at 25 $^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at 15 $^{\circ}C$. In each experiment, data such as early germinating vigor, germination speed and germination rate were evaluated. Six turfgrass entries were comprised of two varieties each from Kentucky bluegrass (KB, Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (PR, Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (TF, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), respectively. Significant differences were observed in early germinating vigor, germination speed and germination rate. Early germinating vigor as measured by days to 70% seed germination was variable according to environment conditions, turfgrasses and varieties. It was less than 6 days in PR and 6 to 9 days in TF. However, KB resulted in 11 to 13 days under an alternative condition and 11 to 28 days under a room temperature condition. The germination speed was fastest in PR of 7 to 10 days and slowest in KB of 14 to 21 days. However, intermediate speed of 10 to 14 days was associated with TF. There were considerable variations in germination rate among turfgrasses according to different conditions. Generally, PR and TF germinated well, regardless of environment conditions. However, a great difference was observed among KB varieties, when compared with others. Under a room temperature condition, total germination rate was 71.0% in Midnight and 77.7% in Award. And it increased under an alternative condition, which was 81.7% and 91.7% in Award and Midnight, respectively. However, the poorest rate was found under a constant temperature condition, resulting in 18.0% in Award and 15.3% in Midnight. These results suggest that an intensive germination test required by ISTA be needed prior to the decision of seeding rate, including early germinating vigor and germination speed as well as total germination rate. KB is very sensitive to environment conditions and thus its variety selection should be based on a careful expertise.