Abstract
This work was carried out to estimate field and controlled room seedling emergence potential through seed vigour tests in cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds. Early radicle emergence percentages after 12 (RE12h), 24 (RE24h) and 36 (RE36h) hours of germination test, mean germination time, accelerated aging (45 °C, 100% RH, 24 h), electrical conductivity (EC) of soaking water (40 ml, 50 seeds, 20 °C), after 16 hours (EC16h) and 24 hours (EC24h), and EC16h and EC24h after accelerated ageing (AA, 45 °C, 100% RH, 24h) were tested as vigour tests in ten commercial seed lots of cress. Standard laboratory germination ranged between 88 and 93%. Seeds were sown on two occasions in field and controlled room conditions, and seedling emergence percentages were determined after 30 days in the soil and 14 days in the controlled room. Seedling emergence ranged between 67 and 85% and 59 and 83% in the first and second sowings in the field. These values were 75 and 92% in controlled room sowing. Vigour tests were correlated to seedling emergence potential at various significance levels but RE24h and EC16h showed the highest correlation coefficient values (p < 0.001) in all three sowing conditions as r = 0.879-0.988 in RE24h, and r = 0.902-0.962 in EC16h. Results indicated that early radicle emergence percentages after 24 hours (RE24h) and electrical conductivity value after 16 hours (EC16h) can be successfully used to estimate the seedling emergence potential of cress seeds in field and controlled room conditions.
 
 *********
 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
 *********
Highlights
Cress is a leafy vegetable species which, in the Mediterranean region, is sown directly in the open field throughout the year or in plastic tunnels in the winter months
The present study evaluated the conditions for the application of accelerated ageing (AA), electrical conductivity (EC), radicle emergence (RE) and mean germination time (MGT) tests to commercial seed lots of cress, in relation to seedling emergence in the field and controlled room conditions
The highest number of correlation was observed in radicle emergence percentages after 24 hours (RE24h) and electrical conductivity value after 16 hours (EC16h), and both vigour tests correlated to three different sowing conditions at p= 0.001 level (Table 4)
Summary
Cress is a leafy vegetable species which, in the Mediterranean region, is sown directly in the open field throughout the year or in plastic tunnels in the winter months. The standard laboratory germination test is a measure of seed quality (ISTA, 2017) which may provide information about the seedling emergence capacity of the lots when the sowing environment is favourable. This may not necessarily be sufficient to indicate emergence potential when seeds are sown in stress conditions such as low and high temperatures in open field production. The present study evaluated the conditions for the application of accelerated ageing (AA), electrical conductivity (EC), radicle emergence (RE) and mean germination time (MGT) tests to commercial seed lots of cress, in relation to seedling emergence in the field and controlled room conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
