Effect of seed vigour on garden pea production

Abstract

Vigour test results, expressed as expected field emergence (EFE), gave better predictions of field emergence than the standard laboratory germination test for 5 lines of garden peas, cv. ‘small sieve freezer’, sown in 3 adjacent replicated plot trials in Manawatu. Differences in seed vigour between lines when sown in equal numbers were reflected in reduced emergence from low vigour lines, resulting in lower plant populations and a significant yield loss of green and seed peas. No difference was found in the vigour of seedlings which did establish. When sowings were made at rates which compensated for low vigour, so that equal plant populations were established, no yield differences were recorded. There was no significant relationship between the vigour of parent and progeny seed, as recorded by laboratory germination, electroconductivity, and hollow heart tests. Significant block effects for hollow heart of harvested seed were found in all 3 trials, for electroconductivity in 2 trials, irrespective of the vigour of the parent lines. The reasons for this require further investigation.

Keywords:

• Pisum sativum
• pea
• seed vigour
• seed germination
• electrical conductivity
• hollow heart
• field emergence
• populations
• crop yield