Seed Germination and Establishment as Affected by Non‐Wettable Soils and Wetting Agents

Abstract

To study the effects of soil wettability and wetting agents on seed germination and establishment, three substrates (naturally occurring non—wettable soil, and a wettable quartz sand) were placed in small plastic containers and received applications of wetting agent in liquid, wetting agent on perlite, and no treatment as a control. The containers were seeded to wimmera ryegrass and were placed both on a 30° slope and on the level in a controlled temperature chamber (70°F). Seed placed on a non—wettable soil which received no wetting agent treatment failed to germinate in those containers placed on the slope. Good germination occurred on soil which was treated with a wetting agent and on wettable sand. The same are primarily due to water relations; water ran off the sloping non—wettable soils. Wetting agent treatment on the wettable sand reduced both germination and establishment of the tested plants.