Genetic and non‐genetic factors affecting germination and vitality in spring barley seed

Abstract

AbstractGermination of eight spring barley varieties, grown in two years at eight different locations in State varietal trials in the Czech republic, was analysed. All the combinations were tested under optimal conditions for germination as recommended by ISTA and also at low temperatures (5 and 10°C), and underwater stress (‐ 2 and ‐ 4 bar). Germination under low temperature and water stress was considered as a character of seed vitality.Varieties in nearly all experiments were a significant source of variation and their relative contribution to the total variation was higher for vitality (5.7–38.7%) than for germination (2.0–4.3%). However, the percentage of germination were not related to the percentage of vitality.The location in nearly all the experiments caused the greatest variation and the impact was greater for germination than for vitality. Provenance effects were different for germination and for vitality; grains harvested in the lowland had the highest germination values, but not the highest vitality values.The results should encourage breeding for seed vitality and some reconsideration of provenance effects on seed vitality.