Abstract:
Seed germination as affected by soil water hydraulic properties (e. g. matric potential, hydraulic conductivity) and seed-soil water contact, was studied experimentally. The concept of contact impedance combining seed-soil water contact area contact zone-hydraulic properties was introduced and determined experimentally. It was found that reducing soil matric potential or the conductivity to water postpones germination as expected, but to a lesser extent than contact impedance does. Applications to field conditions are discussed.