Common bean seed vigor affecting crop grain yield

Vitor Henrique Vaz Mondo,Adriano Stephan Nascente,Manoel Oliveira Cardoso Neto

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v38n4166814

Vitor Henrique Vaz Mondo, Adriano Stephan Nascente + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v38n4166814

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Abstract

Abstract: Among the factors that affect seedling emergence and crop establishment are seed germination and vigor, which has an important influence on the establishment of the initial plant population and development, and may affect crop yield. Based on this background the objective of this research work was to evaluate the effects of seed vigor of common bean seed lots and its effects on crop grain yield. The treatments consisted of six seed lots of common bean, which were composed by different combinations of high and low vigor seeds. Seed lots were assessed by germination and vigor tests (first count of germination, electrical conductivity and accelerated aging). A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with plots of six lines of five meters and were evaluated for grain yield at harvest. It was concluded that seed vigor affects common bean grain yield; the use of low vigor seeds results in grain yield reductions of up to 20%.

Highlights

Crop management, such as a uniform seed bed and constant planting depth, is designed to encourage uniform plant establishment, and should maximize the yield of cultivated crops
Seed vigor has impacts on crop cultivation cycle, with plants from lower vigor seeds presenting a delayed development compared to higher vigor seeds; such differences tend to disappear during the reproductive phase (Egli, 1993; Mondo et al, 2015)
The use of high quality seeds is fundamental to obtain a uniform plant distribution and final population as a mean to obtain high grain yield and expressing the maximum genetic potential. Based on this background the objective of this research work was to evaluate the effects of seed vigor of common bean seed lots and its effects on crop grain yield

Summary

Introduction

Crop management, such as a uniform seed bed and constant planting depth, is designed to encourage uniform plant establishment, and should maximize the yield of cultivated crops. Among the factors that affect seedling emergence and crop establishment are seed germination and vigor, which, according to Hampton (2002), has an important influence on the establishment of the initial plant population and development, and affects crop yield. Dias et al (2010), working with maize, found that seed vigor is directly related to initial crop growth and that affects plant competitive ability with regard to weeds with inferior growth rates.

Results

Conclusion