RATE OF GERMINATION OF ALFALFA VARIETIES AT FOUR TEMPERATURES AND RELATIONSHIP TO WINTERHARDINESS

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Abstract
Alfalfa varieties of diverse genetic orgin were compared for rate of germination at 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C. Significant differences in rate of germination among varieties were found at each temperature. The rates of germination of varieties at the different temperatures were significantly correlated to the extent of r = about 0.6. Several varieties did not fall into the pattern of the majority in this regard and germinated relatively faster or slower in relation to other varieties at different temperatures. There was little relationship between the rate of germination of alfalfa varieties and their winterhardiness. The results indicate that rapid- or slow-germinating strains could be developed within any hardiness class providing the degree of heritability of the trait proves to be favorable.