Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Schellenberg, Michael P. [1], Kehler, Melissa [1].

Grass cultivar germination response to increasing temperatures.

With continued accumulation of evidence of a warming trend in the Canadian prairie region, a project was initiated to examine the adaptive potential of cultivars from within two grass species ranges. Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Love) and meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii Skinner) were the initial species selected. Temperatures were 20 degrees Celsius as a constant, and 4 combinations of day/nighttime temperatures (10/5, 15/10, 20/15, 25/20). The tests were run twice with 4 replicates per run. A thermal gradient plate was utilized that allowed all discrete temperature designation for each cell. Western wheatgrass cultivars had a greater range in germination temperatures, days to first germination, days to maximum germination and day of highest number of germinations. Western wheatgrass cultivars indicated an adaptation by some to a higher temperature regime for germination. Meadow brome per cent germination was unaffected by temperature but rates of germination indicated a more rapid germination rate as temperature occurred. The implications of this work are that western wheatgrass seeding will likely need to be earlier unless a cultivar with adaptation wormer germination temperatures is selected. Whereas meadow brome cultivars examined were not impacted for per cent of germination but responded greater rates of germination indicting potential greater flexibility for date of seeding in the future.

1 - Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1 Airport Road, Box 1030, Swift Current, SK, S9H 3X2, Canada

Keywords:
western wheatgrass
meadow brome
adaptation
climate change
Forage.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC025
Abstract ID:566
Candidate for Awards:None