Estimation of Barley Seed Vigour with Respect to Variety and Provenance Effects

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining potential differences in seed quality of spring and winter barley in relation to varieties (four winter and two spring barley varieties) and growing conditions (six locations, two years). Three tests were performed on each seed sample, i.e. (1) the standard germination test; (2) the low temperature and drought stress germination test and (3) the germination test in a salt solution. The effects of the factors of variety, provenance and year on seed vigour were estimated by the analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test. The germination of winter varieties was influenced by provenance, both measures of vigour (2 and 3) by year, and significant differences between varieties were found in all three traits. Spring varieties differed only in germination and vigour (3) in one year when the influence of provenance prevailed. The results show different effects of variety and provenance on seed vigour. This could be promising for the breeding of high vigour barley varieties. Some preliminary results were obtained by using controlled deterioration (CD) as a vigour testing method for barley. The suitable conditions seem to be the combination of 45°C and 24% moisture content for the period of 24 hours.