New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Effect of air-drying immature seeds in harvested pods on seed quality of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.)
Nezar H. Samarah
Department of Crop Production
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Irbid
P.O. Box 3030
22110, Jordan
nsamarah@just.edu.jo
Abstract Immature seeds of common vetch had low
germination and were desiccation sensitive when seeds were extracted
from pods before drying. Air-drying immature seeds in harvested pods
may improve their germination and vigour. The objective of this
experiment was to study the effect of air-drying immature seeds in
harvested pods on seed germination and vigour of common vetch and to
identify the vigour test that best discriminates seed vigour
differences amongst seeds harvested at different maturity stages and
drying treatments. Seeds of common vetch were harvested at five pod
developmental stages: beginning of seed fill (BS), full-size seed (FS),
greenish-yellow pod (GY), yellow pod (Y), and brown pod (B) and
subjected to three drying treatments: seeds dried after extraction from
pods (depodded), dried in pods detached from plants (podded detached)
or attached to plants (podded attached). Seed germination and seed
vigour, as estimated by the germination after three accelerated ageing
(AA) treatments and by electrical conductivity of seed leachate, were
evaluated for the harvested seeds. Seeds were subjected to three ageing
treatments (100% RH and 39°C for 72 h, 39°C for 96 h,
or 45°C for 48 h) to identify the AA treatment that best
discriminates seed vigour differences amongst common vetch seed lots.
Podded dried seeds detached from or attached to plants had higher
standard germination, germination after three accelerated ageing
treatments, and lower electrical conductivity of seed leachates than
depodded dried seeds when seeds were harvested at the BS and FS stages
of development. Although the podded dried immature seeds did not differ
significantly in standard germination from the podded dried mature
seeds, the podded dried immature seeds had lower vigour as estimated by
the germination after 39°C for 96 h. Seed ageing at close to
100% relative humidity and 39°C for 96 h was the best
condition to separate the differences in vigour among maturity stages
and drying treatments. The 39°C for 96 h treatment can be a
useful test to assess seed vigour of common vetch and needs further
evaluation.
Keywords common vetch; Vicia sativa; seed development; pods, germination; vigour; accelerated ageing; conductivity
A05062; Received 17 November 2005; accepted 15 May 2006; Online publication date 13 July 2006
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2006, Vol. 49: 331–339
0028–8233/06/4903–0331 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2006
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