Effectiveness of seed matriconditioning on germination and storability parameters of creeping bentgrass

Abstract

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is a commonly used cool-season grass for lawns and golf courses worldwide. One of the most important challenges of creeping bentgrass is the speed and uniformity of germination and seedling establishment. It has been known that matriconditioning (MC), a controlled hydration seed treatment, can enhance the parameters of germination and soil emergence. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of optimum MC on non-aged and aged creeping bentgrass seeds. Seeds were matriconditioned with Micro-Cel E carrier and water at 25 °C for 7 days. Optimum seed, carrier, and water proportions were 1 g, 0.5 g, and 2 mL, respectively. Accelerated aging was induced by storing nonprime and primed seeds for 0, 10, and 20 d at 42 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH). Creeping bentgrass seeds treated with MC germinated quicker and with higher final germination percentage than nontreated control seeds. Matriconditioned and aged creeping bentgrass seeds showed no substantial losses in germination compared with nontreated control seeds.