Germination of Selected Grass Species in Water Stress Conditions

Areas where energy crops are grown have expanded in the Czech Republic. Perennial crops are more suitable than annual crops from the environmental point of view. They protect the soil against erosion. Energy grasslands may be grown and used in biogas stations and incineration plants. As the climate has been changing, species and varieties of energy crops must be chosen very carefully. The chosen species and varieties of energy crops must be capable of resistance to drought that is about to be more frequent in the future. This paper work studies and evaluates three grassland species (Bromus marginatus Nees ex Steud., Elymus elongatus, Phleum pratense L.). It deals with a water stress resistance during a germination period. The results of our research have shown, Bromus marginatus Nees ex Steud. is the most resistant species, whereas Phleum pratense L. is the least resistant species. Just a half of Phleum pratense L. seeds germinated under drought-stress conditions.