The effect of vetch seed size on the seed quality and on seedling vigor

Abstract

Common vetch (Vicia sativaL.) in Serbia has the highest economic importance of the species Vicia. It is mostly cultivated jointly with cereals (oats, wheat, and triticale). It is rarely grown in pure culture due to flattening. Producers have noticed that the market offer various sized seed. We decided to examine the connection between seed size with seed germination and vigor. The paper presents two years results (2012 and 2013), of two cultivars of vetch seed (Vicia sativa L), and the three seed lots of each. Seeds of each lot are divided into three fractions (C- small<3.5 mm; B - medium 3.5 to 5mm: A- large>5 mm. The germination and vigor of seeds are tested from all fractions (A, B, C).Germinated seeds were done in hot bed between the filter paper at 20°C in the dark; energy of germination was checkedon the fifth day, and the germination of the fourteenth day, in accordance with the ISTA rules. Seed size had a significant impact both on the germination, and on the seedling vigor. The impact of the year, the party of seed and the varieties had no significant effect (P≤0.05). Between seed germination and seedling vigor was found high correlation (r).