ACCELERATED AGING TEST FOR THE DETERMINATION OF SEED VIGOUR OF VEGETABLE SPECIES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Accelerated aging (AA) test is a robust seed vigour test used throughout the world to test seed vigour of crop species. The present study was conducted to determine the seeds vigour of selected vegetable varieties in Sri Lanka, and correlation between the nursery field emergence (NFE) of the seeds and standard germination (SG) and AA. Seeds were tested for purity, moisture content (MC) and SG. AA tests were performed under different temperatures and time intervals. NFE was determined under glasshouse conditions. The seeds had purity and MC in the range required to perform AA test. Seeds of the tested varieties were identified as high, medium and low vigour seed lots. NFE showed a very high correlation with SG and AA. Therefore, the seed vigour of the tested varieties are variety specific and both SG and AA tests can accurately predict NFE of the tested varieties.