Purpose The water uptake of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) seeds was studied and the relationship between its morphological characteristics and seed water absorption was analyzed, which provided reference value for the selection of tall fescue and the increase of efficiency.
Method Under the same water temperature, the water absorption rate of tall fescue seeds was determined, and the correlation between water absorption characteristics and seed morphology was analyzed.
Result The water absorption rate of tall fescue seeds was about 1.5 times of seed dry weight, and there was no difference in the water absorption rate of the varieties at the same time (P>0.05). The water absorption rate of tall fescue seeds increased with the prolongation of water absorption time, and the water absorption of tall fescue seeds was fast and then slowed. It showed that the water uptake before 9 h was faster, and the difference reached a significant level (P<0.05), and the change between 10-42 h was relatively small, and the increase of seed water absorption was the largest (14.88%) with 9 h. The seed morphological characteristics of tall fescue turf had significant positive correlation with water absorption within 0-42 h (P<0.01), and the most positive correlation with seed water uptake of tall fescue seeds was 1 000-grain weight and grain width. The water uptake of tall fescue seeds was significantly correlated with grain thickness and grain width within 0-42 h (P<0.05), but it showed negative effects, which had the largest negative correlation with grain thickness. The regression curve model of the seed water absorption and time were cubic function (P<0.05).
Conclusion The optimum dynamic regression equation between seed water absorption and time was obtained and the seed morphological characteristics of tall fescue turf had correlation with water absorption. The conclusion provided a theoretical reference for water management of seed germination and variety selection of tall fescue.
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