Effects of pre-sowing treatments on germination of Medicago ruthenica(L.) Trautv., Lebed. syn. Trigonella ruthenica L.

Abstract

Medicago ruthenica(L.)Trautv.,Lebed., a small pasture legume from north-eastern China, was grown at Massey University. Initial seed germination was poor. A germination experiment with treatments combining scarification and stratification was conducted to determine optimal treatments for overcoming poor germination. Only scarification improved germination significantly. Hardseededness was the major factor limiting germination. Taxonomy and morphology of M. ruthenica are discussed in appendices.

Keywords:

• germination
• legume
• pasture
• Medicago ruthenica
• pre-sowing treatment
• seed
• scarification
• stratification