Influence of Soil Water Matric Potential and Hydraulic Conductivity on the Germination of Rape (Brassica napus L.)

The influence of matric potential and hydraulic conductivityon the water absorption and germination of rape (Brassica napusL.) was investigated by comparative studies in three seed-soilwater systems. In all systems the rate of germination and totalgermination were substantially retarded with decreasing matricpotential. Hydraulic conductivity of the soil system was demonstratedto be a limiting factor in the germination process. The effectsof matric potential and hydraulic conductivity on water absorptionfollowed closely those demonstrated for germination. The influenceof matric potential was shown to be comparable to that of osmoticpotential provided consideration was given to the hydraulicproperties of the soil-seed system.