EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND WATER POTENTIAL ON THE EMERGENCE OF MISCANTHUS AND THE GERMINATION OF SWITCHGRASS

摘要

The stand establishment of miscanthus and switchgrass is not yet mastered. However, there are few references on the factors affecting this stage. Soil temperature and water potential have a major influence on the establishment of most crops, particularly on the physiological process leading to germination and seedling growth. A controlled experiment was carried out to quantify the effects of water potential and temperature on miscanthus emergence and switchgrass germination. The calculated base temperature was 8.4°C and 8.5°C, respectively for miscanthus emergence and Switchgrass germination. Temperatures lower than 10°C decreased the germination rate of switchgrass by 50 % on average and no effect was noticed on miscanthus. The base water potential was -1.3MPa and -0.74MPa respectively for the emergence of miscanthus the germination of switchgrass. Water potential of - 0.13MPa or -0.4MPa decreased respectively the germination rate of switchgrass by 10% and 40% on average and no effect was observed on Miscanthus.