Abstract
Abstract: Electrical conductivity (EC) stands out among vigor tests because of its capability of detecting damage in seeds in the initial stage, since EC is related to disorganization of the cell membrane. The aim of this paper was to study use of the EC test as an alternative for vigor evaluation in soybean seeds, verifying its relationship to different vigor tests and thus suggesting values and the range of values of electrical conductivity that indicate the performance potential of a seed lot in the field. Eleven seed lots from each of four soybean cultivars were used for this study. The moisture level was determined and the following tests were performed: electrical conductivity, germination, tetrazolium, accelerated aging, first germination count, seedling vigor classification and emergence of seedlings in the field and in sand. The EC test had a significant and negative correlation (p < 0.01) with all the tests performed. Linear regression analysis allowed separation of the seed lots into classifications of very high vigor (EC ≤ 70 μS.cm-1.g-1), high vigor (EC from 71 to 90 μS.cm-1.g-1), medium vigor (EC from 91 to 110 μS.cm-1.g-1) and low vigor (EC ≥ 111 μS.cm-1.g-1).
Highlights
The concept of seed quality can be addressed through its main components: physiological quality, genetic quality, quality of seed health and physical quality
Physiological potential gathers information regarding seed germination and vigor, and it includes the set of aptitudes that allows estimation of the theoretical capacity of a seed lot to adequately manifest its vital functions after sowing
Information regarding germination and vigor obtained in the laboratory should allow comparison of seed lots and assess the probability of success in acquiring and using them
Summary
The concept of seed quality can be addressed through its main components: physiological quality, genetic quality, quality of seed health and physical quality. Physiological potential gathers information regarding seed germination (viability) and vigor, and it includes the set of aptitudes that allows estimation of the theoretical capacity of a seed lot to adequately manifest its vital functions after sowing. The germination test is the official procedure for evaluating the capacity of seeds to produce normal seedlings under favorable field conditions. Routine interpretation of this test does not reveal the differences in quality and performance among seed lots that might appear in storage or even in the field, and knowledge of these differences would allow an estimate of physiological quality (Carvalho and Nakagawa, 2000; Marcos-Filho, 1999; 2015). Deviations in relation to ideal field conditions are frequent, it is necessary to use other procedures to estimate seed physiological potential (Marcos-Filho, 2013; 2015)
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