Plant growth analysis and seed vigor expression: effects of soil waterlogging during rye plant development¹

This study aimed to evaluate the growth, assimilate partitioning and seed vigor expression of rye seeds subjected to waterlogging during development. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications and three treatments. The treatments involved different waterlogging periods: a) no waterlogging; b) single waterlogging of three days; and c) two soil waterlogging periods of three days. The plants were collected at regular intervals of 14 days after emergence until the end of the growth cycle, measuring the dry matter accumulation and the leaf area for growth analysis and dry matter partition between the organs and number of flowers. The other calculated indices included the harvest index and relative seedling emergence rate originating from the seeds of plants that were maintained at field capacity and under the effect of soil waterlogging. Rye plants that were not subjected to waterlogging had a higher dry matter, dry matter production rates and harvest index compared to the plants under the effect of two soil waterlogging periods. Plants under the effect of two waterlogging periods showed drastic alterations in their growth rates and assimilate partitioning during development, and seed vigor expression was negatively affected when the plants were subjected to soil waterlogging.

germination speed index; net assimilation rates; relative growth rates; Secale cereale L.; stress