Germination characteristics of six plant species growing on the Hanford Site. [Disturbed land revegetation feasibility studies]

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6413595

Cox, G R; Kirkham, R R; Cline, J F

Six plant species (Siberian and thickspike wheatgrass, cheatgrass, sand dropseed, Indian ricegrass, and Russian thistle) found on the Hanford Site were studied as part of an investigation into the revegetation of disturbed areas. Germination response to three environmental parameters (soil moisture, soil temperature, and planting depth) were measured. Results indicated that when a polyethylene glycol solution was used to control the osmotic potential of the imbibition media, no significant decrease in germination rate occurred down to -3.0 bars. However, below -7.0 bars all species experienced a decrease in germination. When germinated in soil, all species except Russian thistle exhibited a significant decrease in germination rate at -0.3 bars. Russian thistle was the only species tested that exhibited germination at a soil temperature of 1/sup 0/C. All species gave optimum germination at temperatures between 10 and 15/sup 0/C. Thickspike wheatgrass was the only species tested which was able to germinate and emerge from a planting depth of greater than 2 inches. If supplemental moisture is provided, a shallow planting would be advisable for those species tested. If not overcome by pretreatment prior to planting, seed dormancy may be a significant factor which will reduce the germination potential of some species tested.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-77RL01030
• OSTI ID: 6413595
• Report Number(s): RHO-LD-121; ON: DE81024391
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GRASS
GERMINATION
HERBS
REVEGETATION
PREFERRED SPECIES
DEPTH
HANFORD RESERVATION
LAND RECLAMATION
MOISTURE
SOILS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
DIMENSIONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANTS
SHRUBS
TREES
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
510500* - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)