Effect of seed size within seed lots on seed quality in kale
Six commercial seed lots of two cultivars of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var acephala DC) which varied in germination and vigour were size graded into four categories: large (seeds retained on a 2.36 mm screen), medium (seeds retained on a 2.0 mm screen), small (seeds retained
on a 1.5 mm screen) and very small (seeds which passed through a 1.5 mm screen). Mean thousand seed weight for each category was 5.97 g, 4.89 g, 3.45 g and 1.74 g respectively. Medium and small seeds made up nearly 90% by weight of each of the seed lots. The graded seeds were tested for germination
and vigour. For three seed lots germination did not differ among seed sizes, while in the other three seed lots seed size effects differed with seed lot, whereby the germination of large seeds was greater than that of very small seeds in two seed lots, but not in the third. Seed vigour did
not differ among seed sizes in one seed lot, but was highest for medium and/or small seeds in the other five seed lots. Large seeds had lower vigour than small seeds in two seed lots, and did not differ in vigour from very small seeds in four seed lots. These data do not support the hypothesis
that large seeds have superior performance to small seeds, or that small seeds have lower vigour.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 April 2007
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