Vigor Tests To Estimate Seedling Emergence Potential And Longevity In Viola seed lots

Abstract

Astudywasmade of therelationshipamongaccelerated aging (AA),saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA), mean germination time and second day germination percentage vigor tests, and seedling emergence and longevity storage at 5 and 25 °C for 6 and 12 months. Initial germination was above 80% for all seed lots. Seedling emergence values varied between 21% and 94% and mean emergence time between 6.5 and 11.0 days among seed lots. The SSAA test correlated with emergence better than the AA test. All combi- nations of SSAA temperatures(41, 43, and 45 °C for 72 h) were correlated to emergence (r = 0.95 to 0.98, P < 0.001) and emergence rate (r = 0.90 to 0.94, P < 0.001). Seed germination after 6 months of storage ranged between 21% and 98% at 5 °C and 26% and 100% at 25 °C. Corresponding values were 19% and 98% and 15% and 89% after 12 months. All combinations of AA and SSAA were related to longevity of seed lots, but significance for SSAA was higher (above P < 0.01) than AA (P < 0.05). In both tests, a higher aging temperature reduced the significance level. Mean germination time and second day germination percentages also predicted seedling emergence and longevity (P < 0.05 in all cases). Standard germination percentages were successful in predicting seedling emer- gence (P < 0.05), but with one exception failed to predict (P > 0.05) longevity in viola seed lots. In conclusion, although both aging tests successfully differentiated seed quality, SSAA test results better predict emergence and longevity of viola seed lots.