Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1975

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Agronomy

Abstract

The ultimate gal of seed testing is to determine the quality of seed that is to be used for planting (2). Two factors which determine the quality of seed are the purity and germination percentages. Purity is determined by separating a sample into four fractions: 1) pure seed; 2) inert matter; 3) weed seeds; and 4) crop seeds. Laboratory germination of seeds is conducted under specified controlled conditions depending on the method which has been previously determined to give the highest germination percentage of the particular species. Another test which is being used mainly for native grasses is a viability test using 2,3,5 triphenyl 2-H tetrazolium chloride (TZ). This is a quick method of estimating the viability of a lot of seed. It is the objective of this study to determine the accurateness of these two tests in predicting the emergence of five native grass species of South Dakota: 1) western wheatgrass, Agropyron smithii Rydb.; 2) green needlegrass, Stipa viridula Trin,; 3) big blucstem, Andropogon gerardi vitman; 4) Indiangrass, Scrghastrum nutans (L.) Nash; and 5) switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. Another objective is to determine if a correlation exists among laboratory germination, TZ test and soil emergence.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Grasses -- South Dakota -- Seed

Germination

Seeds -- Viability

Grasses -- South Dakota

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

60

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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