Assessing Cardinal Temperature for Germination in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Sainfoin (Onobrychis vicifolia) and Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia)

Abstract

Legumes have been used in agriculture since ancient times. Legume seeds or pulses were among the first sources of human food and their domestication and cultivation in many areas occurred at the same time as that of the major cereals. Nutritionally they are 2-3 times richer in protein than cereals grain and also contain oil. In order to determine the cardinal temperatures for germination in coriander, sainfoin and bitter vetch, a laboratory experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design. Different temperatures from zero to 45ºC were considered as experimental treatments. Germination was performed in incubator under dark conditions. Determining the cardinal temperatures was done with linear regression between germination rate and temperatures. The results showed that rate of germination increased with raise in temperature until optimum temperature and after that, it showed a corresponding fall with escalation in temperature. Each seed sample had its specific optimum temperature. The optimum temperatures of germination for coriander, sainfoin and bitter vetch were 24.83, 20.92 and 20.83ºC, respectively.