Influence of soaking times and agents on the seeds germination of Poa pratensis

In order to find out the most effective seed soaking methods for bluegrass(Poa pratensis),the present research assessed the effects of 30 seed presoaking treatments included 10 seed presoaking agents[H2O,20% PEG-6000,2.0% NaCl,2.0% CaCl2,2.0% Ca(NO3)2,2.0% KNO3,2.0% KH2PO4,2.0% KH2PO4,0.5mmol·L-1 salicylic acid(SA),0.3% H2O2,0.01% KMnO4]which combined with three soaking time(1,2,3d)on seed germination and seedling growth.The 6treatments of 2.0% Ca(NO3)2and 2.0%KNO3soaking 1,2and 3dsignificantly improved(P0.05)seeds germination without significant damage to seedling growth,especially for the two treatments of 2.0%Ca(NO3)2soaking 2dand2.0% KNO3 soaking 2dwhich were recommended for bluegrass seed soaking treatments.The eight treatments of 2.0% NaCl soaking 1d,2.0% CaCl2 soaking 1,2and 3d,2.0% KH2PO4 soaking 2dand 0.5mmol·L-1 SA soaking 1,2and 3dimproved seed germination rate whereas they had negative effects on seed mean germination period and seedling growth.The treatments of H2 O soaking 1,2and 3d,20%PEG-6000 soaking 1,2and 3d,2.0% NaCl soaking 2and 3d,2.0% KH2PO4 soaking 1and 3d,0.3%H2O2soaking 1,2and 3d,0.01% KMnO4 soaking 1,2and 3dhad negative effects on seedling growth which were not recommended for bluegrass seed priming methods.