The relationship between seed vigour tests and field emergence in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus)

Abstract

Lentil is an important legume crop in West Asia and North Africa. Field establishment is a key determinant in its production. To investigate the prediction of field emergence through various laboratory parameters, correlation studies between seed vigour tests and field emergence were carried out over two consecutive years, 1991/92 in Sudan and 1992/93 in Syria. Correlation and path coefficient analyses were conducted to assess the association of these seed vigour parameters and their direct and indirect contribution towards their correlation coefficients with field emergence. Correlations of speed of germination, seedling dry weight and electrical conductivity with field emergence in two types of soils were significant in 1991/92. In 1992/93, no significant correlation was observed between vigour tests and field emergence. In 1991/92, path analysis showed that seedling dry weight and 100-seed weight consistently reflected the highest positive direct contribution towards field emergence in the two types of soils whereas the highest negative direct effect was shown by seedling growth rate, followed by cold soil test.

Likewise, in 1992/93 the highest positive direct contribution was exhibited by seedling growth rate, followed by speed of germination and standard germination respectively, towards their correlations with field emergence. 100-seed weight, seedling dry weight and cold soil consistently reflected the highest positive indirect contributions, respectively via seedling growth rate towards field emergence. This study indicates that seedling dry weight, seedling growth rate and speed of germination could make the most accurate prediction of field emergence.