The relationship between field emergence, laboratory germination, and vigour testing of new zealand seed wheat lines

Abstract

The relationship between field emergence and both laboratory germination testing and several vigour tests was examined at one site for 12 and 20 seed wheat lines in 1978 and 1979. Results of the field emergence trials were more closely correlated with direct stress vigour tests than laboratory germination when soil conditions were unfavourable, but no great advantage was gained from vigour testing when soil conditions were good. Field emergence was closely correlated with 5 cm soil temperature. The use of a vigour test involving germination at 5°C for 7 days, then 20°C for 4 days, is proposed for vigour testing of New Zealand cereal seed lines, after further research has confirmed its suitability over a wider range of soil types and conditions. © 1981 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.