Prediction of Field Performance and Storability of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Seed Lots Through Vigour Tests
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Date
2016-06
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University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
Study was conducted to predict field performance and storability of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed lots through vigour tests in the Seed Quality Research Laboratory of National Seed Project, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Twenty groundnut seed lots with varied vigour levels based on different germination percentages were used. The data was analysed through CRD and RCBD design for laboratory and field data along with correlation and regression.
Vigour tests were conducted and significant differences were found among the lots based on vigour levels. Significant correlation among the vigour tests was found with highest correlation of seedling vigour index (r = 0.991) followed by accelerated ageing test (r = 0.913), electrical conductivity test (r = 0.893) and mean germination time (r = 0.836) with germination test. In field, growth parameters i.e. speed of emergence, field emergence, plant population per plot, plant height at 30 and 60 days after sowing and number of leaves per plant varied significantly as influenced by vigour levels and vigorous seed lots had significantly higher growth as well as seed parameters i.e. pod yield per meter square, pod yield per hectare and shelling percentage. Significant correlation was observed among laboratory and field parameters. Higher pod yield among vigorous seed lots was attributed to higher speed of emergence, field emergence and plant population per plot based on regression analysis. General decline in seed quality parameters i.e. germination, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index, protein content and oil content was observed. However, an increase in electrical conductivity and lipase activity was found and vigorous seed lots retained higher quality parameters during storage. The radicle emergence test also gave significant results in both laboratory and field studies. Among vigour tests, electrical conductivity test could be used to predict storability of seed lots with similar germination.