Germination characteristics of newlyharvested seeds of switchgrass in Beijing, China

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, light and sowing depth on newly seed germination of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum cv. Alamo) planting in the Beijing for 3 years, which was introduced from the United States in 2005. The resulted of this study showed that the temperatures from 30 ℃ to 35 ℃ encouraged the seeds to germinate faster, and increased the maximum germination percentage, germination vigor, germination index when compared to the low temperature from 20 ℃ to 25 ℃ and the high temperature with 40 ℃. The light and darkness treatments did not affect the germination percentage of Alamo seeds, but encouraged the seeds to germinate faster and increased the germination vigor and germination index. The treatments of differently sowing depths, from 2 mm to 16 mm, were very uniform and efficient since they not only encouraged the seeds to emerge but also increased the emergence percentage and emergence index of switchgrass seeds in comparison with 0 and 32 mm sowing depths.