FACTORS AFFECTING THE GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MONOGERM SUGAR BEET
3.3.2 Seed characteristics
The weight determinations show that there is considerable variation in both seed and true seed weights in the seed lots even when a good linear relationship exists between them. Unfortunately germination performance and seed weights cannot be inter-related in this investigation as the dissections in Expt 2 were not weighed and no size/weight gradings were used for selecting seed for the germination tests.
The effects of seed size on emergence are described in Section 2.4.7. It is also probable that larger seed within a seed lot will germinate better, whether processed or not (Scott et al 1974). Grading by diameter or weight would have been of value in explaining differences between the germination performance of the seed lots. However, more meaningful information could be obtained if true seed sizes were related to performance and possibly vigour. Techniques such as Radiography (Longden et al 1970) would be required for this.
The mean proportions of the seed as true seed of 4 of the seed lots were about 8% higher than those obtained for rubbed seed by Scott et al (1974) for several seed lots and about 14% higher than the mean for all seed lots (natural and rubbed) determined by Scott et al (1974). Mean proportions would tend to increase after rubbing as it is part of the pericarp and not the true seed that is removed. However, it is not possible to determine exactly how much material is removed by rubbing as no natural seed of any of the seed lots used were available for this investigation.
The other seed lot (Lot 3) had a greater proportion of the seed as true seed probably because of the high mean true seed weight and not due to severe rubbing but this cannot be confirmed.
The true seed weights are however considerably higher than those determined by Savitsky (1954) working with early monogerm material. Savitsky predicted that true seed weights could be increased genetically and improvements in husbandry and grading techniques may also have contributed to this objective.
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]
[3.3.1] [3.3.2] [3.3.3] [3.3.4] [3.3.5]
