FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
2.3.3 Germination tests
The requirements for a standard germination test for many species including Beta vulgaris are defined by the International Seed Testing Association (Anon 1966). The conditions for sugar beet are 16 hours @ 20°C, and 8 hours at 20 - 30°C per day with germination counts at 3 and 14 days. Light is not essential and the test can be carried out on top of or between filter paper, or in sand. The seed should be pre-washed for 1 hour in water at 25°C.
The object of the standard test is to gain information about the field planting value of the seed under test and to compare it with other seed lots. The defined conditions are designed to allow the seed lot to express regular, rapid, and complete germination, and also be repeatable within the limits of the random sampling. However, sugar beet field emergence is not accurately predicted by the standard test (Brown 1980).
Hibbert and Woodwark (1969) have tried other laboratory tests using pleated paper or flat paper in sealed containers at different temperatures and periods of counting. Results were similar but not interchangeable and the inherent variability of seedlots makes emergence prediction a procedure with low precision. Sand is considered to be an unsuitable medium for germination tests but Snyder and Filban (1970) in the U.S.A. praised a test for emergence potential of seed from a standardised sand tray.
Hibbert, Thomson and Woodwark (1975) and Reiff (1976) cited by Johnson (1979) found that pleated paper gave good laboratory germination, as the contact between seed and paper was better than with flat filter paper. Brown (1980) found low temperature results more accurate for field emergence prediction, but this procedure is lengthy. Bonscheur (1975) cited by Johnston (1979) found that the speed of germination but not the final value was affected by varying temperatures and water contents, but Heydecker, Orphanous and Chetram (1969) recommended that care should be taken not to penalise seed by either excess or a lack of water when under test (using garden varieties of red beet).
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]
[2.3] [2.3.1] [2.3.2] [2.3.3] [2.3.4] [2.3.5]
