A comparison of seed vigour tests for maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A number of seed vigour tests were conducted on two groups of maize seed lots. One group consisted of six seed lots of different cultivars while the other group consisted of six sub-lots of one cultivar, artificially aged for different periods. Seed vigour tests included in the study were, a low temperature germination test (incubation in rolled paper towels at 13°C), the soil cold test, the accelerated ageing test and an osmotic stress test. The results of the vigour tests were correlated with the emergence of the seed lots in four field trials representing different sets of environmental conditions. The low temperature germination test was found to have the greatest overall predictive value for field emergence. The advantages and disadvantages of the low temperature germination test compared with the soil cold test, which has gained wide acceptance as a standard seed vigour test for maize, are discussed. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.