Study on applicability of controlled deterioration vigour test for evaluation of seed vigour and field performance relationship of three oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Seed samples of three oil-seed rape cultivars SLMO46, Orient and Zarfam (Regent×Cobra) with 35, 25 and 15% moisture contents were provided from seed production fields. Cortrolled deterioration test was conducted in laboratory by maintaining seeds at 40, 45 and 50°C for durations of 12, 24 and 48 hours. Analysis of data on different seed quality assessment parameters showed that except coefficient of velocity of germination, other traits were affected by deterioration treatments. Seeds of cultivar Orient had the lowest viability, seedling vigour and other related traits at 50°C for 48 hours treatment. The dioriorated seed were sown in field and some characteristics such as seedling emergence speed, field emergence index, seedling height, seedling fresh and dry weight and seedling vigour index were assessed. Analysis of data showed that only seedling fresh weight and seedling vigour index were not affected by the effect of year. Interaction effects of cultivar, temperature and duration of seed deterioration were significant for all measured characters. Seeds of Orient cultivar deteriorated at 50°C for 48 hours had the lowest field emergence speed and field emergence index. Study of correlation between different traits assessed in laboratory and field indicated that except seedling fresh weight, other field traits correlated to the final germination percent and other laboratory traits. The results of the present study revealed that application of controlled deterioration test has the potential to evaluate seed quality and seedling emergence and establishment of oil-seed cultivars in field