HONCHARUK H.S.

Effect of seedbed moisture on the intensity of Panicum virgatum L. germination

Purpose. To study the effect of seedbed humidity during the germination of Panicum virgatum L. on the intensity of germination. Methods. Laboratory analytical and statistical. Results. It is proved that the degree of wetting affects the intensity of germination. The most intensive germination was observed when using 20 to 30 ml of water per cuvet. On the 11th day after sowing when adding 20 to 25 ml/cuvette resulted in 15–16 sprouts, 30 ml/cuvet in 17 sprouts that made up 88–89 % and 89 % germination, respectively. Increasing the amount of water to 35 ml/cuvet as well as decreasing to 15 ml/cuvet decreased the number of germinated seeds. In other days of accounting similar results were obtained. In fact, on the 20th day after sowing all the seeds able to germinate did germinate. It was found that both insufficient and excessive wetting of seedbed affected the intensity of germination, but it was not decisive for the significant reduction in dormancy of seeds and increase in the number of sprouts. Conclusions. The degree of seedbed wetting influences the intensity of germination. The most intensive germination was observed when using 20 to 30 ml of water per cuvet.