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Temperature and Soil Water Effects on Dormancy and Mortality of Subterranean Clover Seed

USDA-ARS, Crop Science Res. Lab., Forage Res. Unit, P.O. Box 5367, Mississippi State, MS 39762

^* Corresponding author.

Germination tests were conducted to investigate possible causes for a reestablishment failure of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). ‘Mount Barker’ subterranean clover seeds were germinated on blotters and on the soil surface or at 1 cm depth in nonfumigated and fumigated soil at four constant temperatures for 14 d, followed by constant 15°C for 8 d. Fumigation had no effect on germination. Germination on blotters was reduced to 11.1% at 25 and 30°C, compared with 94.5% at 15°C. Emergence of seedlings was reduced to 37.9% at 30°C, compared with 92.5% at 15°C. Emergence of seedlings at 30°C from soil was greater after 14 d than germination on blotters. In a second experiment, seeds buried 1 cm were germinated at soil water levels ranging from 0.0 to 0.816 kg kg^–1. Temperatures were 15 or 30°C for 7 d, then 15°C for 7 d more. Seeds failed to germinate at either temperature in dry or saturated soil. Emergence after 7 d was reduced at 30°C compared with 15°C at soil moisture levels from 0.204 to 0.544 kg kg^–1. After 7 more d at 15°C, emergence was similar between temperatures at soil moisture levels from 0.0 to 0.544 kg kg^–1. Under saturated soil conditions, 28.5 and 80.8% of the seed rotted at 15 and 30°C, respectively. Our results suggest that subterranean clover seeds can survive in pasture soil for 14 d in an embryo dormant condition during the summer, unless the soil is saturated, in which case soft seeds tend to decay.

Received for publication July 23, 1993.