Assessment of Seed Vigor Tests for Crambe abyssinica

Abstract

Vigor tests are important mainly to identify differences associated to lots performance in field conditions. The objective of this study was to define the most appropriate tests to evaluate the crambe (Crambe abyssinica) seeds vigor. Seven seed lots of crambe were subjected to the standard germination (on the first and last count), germination speed index (GSI), primary root protrusion speed index (PRPSI), seedling length dry and weight seedling, water stress test using PEG 6000 at -0.2 MPa, electrical conductivity and cold test without soil. Crambe lots studied had germination percentages varying from 54 to 80.5%. The GSI, on the first count of water stress and electrical conductivity test ranked lots between two vigor classes The PRPSI, seedling length, seedling dry weight and last count of water stress tests were less sensitive to evaluate vigor for crambe seed. The cold test without soil and the first count of standard germination test were capable to dishtinguish lots more efficiently than the standard germination test on last count by ranking four of the seven seed lots studied.

Crambe abyssinica a non-food crop with potential for the Mediterranean climate: Insights on productive performances and root growth

“…In the current study, crambe seeds germinated rapidly, and germination energy was practically identical after 4 and 7 days of germination. Our results clearly contradict other authors' findings who reported considerable differences in germination energy between the first and last day of the germination test (Cruz et al, 2013;Leão et al, 2016;Silva et al, 2016;Soares et al, 2018). These differences could be attributed to the high physiological quality of crambe seeds reproduced in Central-Eastern Europe or variations in the anatomy or physicochemical properties of the pericarp and/or the seed coat which determine the rate of seed imbibition and early embryo development.…”

“…Seedling emergence and plant density are closely and highly correlated due to infrequent decline of emerged seedlings (Fontana et al, 1998). Seed vigor influences plant density as well as plant growth, development and yields (Soares et al, 2018). Fontana et al (1998) demonstrated that high seed vigor, which supports the achievement of the desired plant density in the field, compensated for the reduced oil content of seeds across analyzed accessions and influenced oil yield per unit area.…”

Use of radiographic images for rapid and non-destructive assessment of crambe seed quality

“…Lots 4 and 9 presented lower values, as it was observed in the germination test. Soares et al (2018) reported that GSI is a more sensitive parameter for detecting small differences in the physiological quality of seeds compared to RPSI. However, although seedlings are not evaluated to estimate RPSI, according to the seedling normality criteria adopted in seed technology, it is an important variable that can be used as an additional parameter to the germination test (Toledo et al, 2011).…”

“…To maximize the productivity potential of the crop, one of the main requirements is satisfactory establishment of plant population in the field, which requires the use of seeds with high physiological quality (Leão et al, 2016). For crambe, germination and vigor tests, such as electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, cold test and seedling length measurements have been used to classify seed lots in terms of quality, serving as support for decision making in the seed industry (Soares et al, 2018;Machado et al, 2017;Silva et al, 2016).…”