FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
The review of literature considers the production and processing aspects of monogerm sugar beet seed and the factors affecting its germination and field establishment.
The average fruit and true seed weights were determined and the relationship between them established for two commercial seed lots and three rubbed seed lots. There was a significant linear correlation between true seed and fruit weights (r = 0.33 - 0.61) of four of the seed lots although there was considerable variability. The mean proportion of fruit weight in the form of true seed weight was in the range 30% - 42%.
Under standard germination test conditions, the final germination percentage and mean germination time of two of the seed lots was markedly inferior to the other three. Under low temperature conditions (constant 7.5°C) germination percentages and mean germination times were adversely affected. Final germination percentages were 10 - 20% lower and mean germination times about 3 x longer than under standard conditions.
Seed treatments such as advancing in water or gibberellic acid ( GA3) solution, or adding GA3 to the petri-dishes did not improve germination at standard temperatures but mean germination times were shortened. At 7.5°C water advancing improved germination and shortened mean germination times relative to untreated seed lots.
Emergence from compost in trays in a glass house was considerably lower than the standard germination test in four of the five lots including the commercial lots.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
[Introduction & Contents] [Chapter One] [Chapter Two] [Chapter Three] [Chapter Four] [Chapter Five] [Chapter Six] [Chapter Seven]
