Effect of Seed Source on Seedling Vigor, Yield, and Lint Characteristics of Upland Cotton, Gossypmm hirsutum L. 1

To evaluate various seed quality criteria, 86 samples of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Manitou’), obtained from farmers in 1969, were grown in the same year with and without Panogen 15 seed treatment in replicated field trials at three locations in Saskatchewan. Untreated seed samples were grown again in 1970 at one of the locations. Determinations were made in the laboratory of various seed and seedling characteristics supposedly related to seedling vigor. Grain yield was increased significantly due to Panogen 15 treatment by 2.5 and 4.9% at two of the three locations. Seed samples high in ‘unaided’ vigor as reflected particularly by a modified germination test of untreated seeds, showed little response to the fungicidal treatment. Yield variations between samples were most consistently dependent on standard germination, 02 uptake, and field emergence. It was concluded that the standard germination test could be supplemented with other tests to more reliably assess expected crop performance. The rate of 02 uptake by seed during the 8th and 9th hours of imbibition was found satisfactory. Further research to develop a rapid and efficient method of determining early seedling growth in darkness is recommended.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Interrelationships among Seedling Vigor, Field Emergence, and Yield in Wheat¹

Gupta¹,

Austenson

1973

“…This frequently results in reduced germination and field emergence, which is generally thought to be a greater problem with low quality seed (5,6,14,15,16). Seed vigor is influenced by both genetic makeup (5) and parent plant environment (9,10). Identification of vigorous seed lots has been inconsistent with standard germination tests […”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships Among Cottonseed Vigor and Emergence¹

Buxton¹,

Melick²,

Patterson³

et al. 1977

Better predictive methods of field emergence of cotton (Gossypium spp.) seedlings are needed than are presently available. In this paper we report on two types of relationships for predicting seedling emergence. The first is the association between field emergence and a vigor term of germinating seedlings called % transfer (ratio of plant axis weight to total weight of seedlings). The second is the relationship between time to 50% total emergence (ET50) and total emergence. Seed of diverse origin were germinated in the laboratory at 15 C for 8 days or at 25 C for 4 days and % germination, and % transfer were determined. Several field plantings were made, and periodic counts were made as seedlings emerged. The time course of germination of two lines that responded differentially in germination and field studies was examined by taking weights and seedling axis lengths repeatedly for 4 days at 25 C and 14 days at 15 C. Germination at 15 C for 8 days did not consistently predict field emergence better than germination at 25 C for 4 days. Some improvement occurred when germination parameters were averaged for the two temperatures. Combining % transfer with % germination into a term called “germination index” did not consistently aid in predicting field emergence over use of % germination alone, apparently because seed with high viability generally produced vigorously germinating seedlings. Percent transfer was negatively correlated with ET30. Predictability of the germination parameters was improved by extending the length of the germination period. Total emergence decreased linearly with increase in ET50. The average decrease ranged from just under 2% per day of ET50 to over 4% when the test involved a salt‐affected soil. We conclude that incorporation of these seed vigor terms into seed testing will not aid in predicting potential for cottonseed emergence. The relationship between emergence and ET50 should serve as an aid in making early decisions about replanting, although the nature of the relationship will probably depend upon local soil conditions.

“…under low night temperatures (10 to 15 C) are small, light weight, and of low quality as measured by germination percentages. Seedling growth, yield, and lint characteristics of plants produced from seed developed under cool temperatures are also adversely affected (9,13).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cottonseed Density: Associated Germination and Seedling Emergence Properties¹

Krieg¹,

Bartee

1975

Recent studies have indicated that separation of cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for improvement in seed quality should be based on seed density rather than seed size or weight. Seed density is closely related to embryo maturity and is more independent of genotype than are other seed properties. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of seed density on some of the processes associated with cottonseed germination and seedling establishment of several cultivars. Acid delinted seed were separated into four density groups using a pneumatic separator. Rate of imbibition, quantity and quality of material leached from the seed, rate of radicle elongation, germination and seedling emergence percentages were measured as indicators of seed quality and seedling vigor potential. Germination percentages were directly related to both seed density and seed weight, with the better correlation existing with seed density. The rates of imbibition and radicle elongation were related to seed density within a cultivar with differences existing between cultivars. A slower rate of radicle elongation was observed for the highest density class during the first 2 to 3 days of germination, which was related to a decreased rate of imbibition during the first 8 hours of contact with water. The quantity of soluble sugars, Ca, and K leached from the seed during imbibition was inversely related to seed density, suggesting interferences existed during seed development or deterioration had occurred in the low density seed. Seed density was highly related to rate of emergence, total emergence, and seedling survival under both growth chamber and field conditions. The results obtained suggest that seed density is the best predictor of cottonseed germination, emergence and potential seedling vigor. Seed separation for improvement in seed quality should be based on density rather than other seed properties.