Title: Seed dormancy of safflower - do we have to worry about it?
Abstract: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) varieties and genotypes often showed low emergence rates in previous experiments. Since no apparent seed damage was observed which could have reduced the germinability, dormancy was supposed to be the reason for the low germination. Aim of the current study was to determine innate seed dormancy of several safflower genotypes (C. tinctorius) and its weedy relative, saffron thistle (C. lanatus). 6–8 genotypes were grown at the experimental station Ihinger Hof, University of Hohenheim, SW Germany. Developing seeds were harvested at regular intervals in the years 2006 and 2007 and were then tested immediately for germinability, dormancy and water content by the standard methods of the institute. Seeds of C. tinctorius became germinable approximately four weeks after bloom. The maxima of germinability for all C. tinctorius genotypes ranged between 21% and 89% (2006) and 16–75% (2007). C. lanatus had a maximum germinability of 71% (2006) and 82% (2007). Depending on genotype, a maximum of 40% (year 2006) or 70% (2007) of seeds did not germinate and was rated as dormant at maturity. The ascertained genotypic variation in dormancy allows a selection for low dormancy in further breeding approaches in order to improve seedling emergence on the field.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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