Seed emergence of lucerne varieties under different soil conditions

The aim of this study was to examine in greenhouse experiments seed emergence of 14 lucerne varieties (mostly of the Czech origin) under different soil conditions (Luvisol, Chernozem and Cambisol). Soil conditions significantly influenced seed emergence in seven varieties. Their seed emergence was lower in Cambisol (72%) than in Chernozem (80%) and Luvisol (91%). In other varieties the soil effect was not significant. The effect of variety could not be separated from the effect of seed lot in our experiment. However, germination, occurrence of hard seeds, germinative energy and thousand-seed weight were not significantly different between the groups of varieties that could be classified as sensitive and tolerant to the examined soil conditions. The obtained results indicated that the selection of suitable lucerne variety or seed lot could be a tool for improving emergence in deteriorated soil conditions.