Cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germination was studied to estimate the effect of a wide range of constant soil temperatures and moisture tensions on seed water uptake and germination. This information was utilized in developing relationships expressing germination response as a function of the two soil parameters. Seed were placed in covered plastic cups containing soil, and seed moisture changes were measured until radicle emergence occurred. Constant temperatures were maintained by water‐bath tanks. Radicle emergence time decreased according to a Q10 relationship between 15.6 and 32.2 C with little change at 37.8 C. Water uptake rate increased with higher temperatures and lower soil moisture tensions (.3 to 10 bars). Seed moisture content at 3‐mm radicle emergence tended to be higher at the extreme temperatures (15.6 and 37.8 C) than at intermediate temperatures. Under some constant temperature and moisture environments, seeds apparently absorbed water in excess of the minimum requirement for radicle emergence. A temperature decrease of 6.2 C caused the same increase in variance of radicle lengths as an increase of 1.1‐bars soil moisture.
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Wanjura et al. (1972) studied this question.