English

Abstract

The relationship between seed vigor test and seedling emergence is crucial to predict easily the seed performance under field conditions and the seed producers continuously explore the best vigor test to enhance stand establishment. This study was conducted to determine the suitable seed vigor test and mineral element in the seed to predict accurately the field performance of soybean. Fifty seed lots of 22 commercial soybean cultivars were assessed for seedling emergence under field conditions and germination, emergence, cool and cold tests, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH for 4, 8 and 24 h, accelerated ageing (AA) at 41, 43 and 45°C for 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h in the laboratory. Initial seed weight, oil, protein, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn concentration in seed lots were also investigated. Their results were correlated with field emergence percentage of seed lots to detect the most suitable indicator for vigorous seed lot. The germination percentage varied from 56% to 100%, while the field emergence percentage ranged between 0% and 84%. No significant correlation was noticed between field emergence and seed weight, oil and protein contents. AA test at 41°C for 72 h gave the highest significantly positive correlation with r=0.831**, but the highest significant and negative correlation coefficient (r=-0.801**) with field emergence percentage were observed in EC test for 24 h. Only Mn concentration of six elements investigated was significantly correlated with field emergence (r=-0.376*). It was concluded that the AA condition of 72 h at 41°C are recommended as an ideal seed vigor test to estimate closely field emergence performance of soybean seeds. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers