Vigor tests in geranium, salvia, gazania, and impatiens seed lots to estimate seedling emergence potential in modules.

摘要

The study focused on the relationship between accelerated aging (AA, 100% r.h., 41 and 43 degrees C, 48 and 72 h), saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA, 75% r.h., 41, 43, 45 degrees C, 72 h), mean germination time (MGT) and 2nd day germination percentage vigor tests, and seedling emergence and mean emergence time in nine lots (seven hybrid, two open-pollinated) of geranium (Pelargonium sp.), salvia (Salvia splendens), gazania (Gazania spp.) and impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) seeds. Initial standard laboratory germination was above 70% for all seed lots. Seedling emergence percentages ranged between 29 and 91% in geranium, 2 and 89% in salvia, 21 and 71% in gazania, 6 and 66% in impatiens and being higher in hybrids than open pollinated ones. Emergence time was the slowest (higher MET) in salvia and impatiens with a mean of 9.9 and 12.5 days and faster in gazania (4.3 days) and geranium (3.4 days) seed lots. Accelerated ageing was successful in predicting emergence of geranium (r=0.75-0.98, p<0.05-0.001) and salvia (r=0.67-0.95, p<0.05-0.001) seed lots. MGT was successful in geranium (r=0.74, p<0.05), salvia (r=0.91, p<0.001) and impatiens (r=0.92, p<0.001). Second day germination was highly correlated with emergence in geranium (p<0.001) but less significantly (p<0.05) in gazania. Combinations of 41 degrees C/48 h of AA, 45 degrees C/72 h of SSAA, 2nd day germination in pelargonium and salvia, and MGT in geranium, salvia and impatiens can be used in vigor testing. Standard laboratory germination was highly discriminatory in geranium and impatiens but less so in the other two species.