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 which combined with three soaking time (1 ,2 ,3 d) on seed germination and seedling growth. The 6 treatments of 2.0% Ca(NO3)2 and 2.0%KNO3 soaking 1, 2 and 3 d significantly improved (P0.05) seeds germination without significant damage to seedling growth, especially for the two treatments of 2.0%Ca(NO3)2 soaking 2 d and 2.0% KNO3 soaking 2 d which were recommended for bluegrass seed soaking treatments. The eight treatments of 2.0% NaCl soaking 1 d, 2.0% CaCl2 soaking 1, 2 and 3 d, 2.0% KH2PO4 soaking 2 d and 0.5 mmol·L-1 SA soaking 1, 2 and 3 d improved seed germination rate whereas they had negative effects on seed mean germination period and seedling growth. The treatments of H2O soaking 1, 2 and 3 d, 20% PEG-6000 soaking 1, 2 and 3 d, 2.0% NaCl soaking 2 and 3 d, 2.0% KH2PO4 soaking 1 and 3 d, 0.3% H2O2 soaking 1, 2 and 3 d, 0.01% KMnO4 soaking 1, 2 and 3 d had negative effects on seedling growth which were not recommended for bluegrass seed priming methods.