Abstract

Poor seedling emergence is a major limitation in establishing sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont de Courset) G. Don]. A series of controlled-environmenant d field experiments were conducted to determine relationships among maximum hypocotyl length (MHL), seed weight, and percentage and rate of emergence in sericea lespedeza and to define criteria for selecting sericea lespedeza with good field emergence. The best time to distinguish MHL among sericea lespedeza genotypes was 9 d after emergence at alternating temperature of 26/22 °C (13/11 h). Seed weight and MHL were positively correlated, and both were positively correlated with field emergence. Selection for heavier-seeded genotypes, which should tend to increase MHL is, easy. However, direct selection for greater MHL is required if the advantage of MHL especially when planting deep, are to be fully exploited.

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