Vigour evaluation of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) seeds of different age

Abstract

Cocksfoot seeds cv. Baza and Bepro, harvested in 1986, 1985, 1984, and 1983 and stored in a store-house were studied. Seed lots did not differ greatly in their viability. However, significant reduction in seed vigour due to natural ageing as measured by soil emergence, seedling growth rate, and ethanol and osmotic stress tests was noted. A conductivity test did not indicate vigour changes of ageing seeds, and its correlation with field emergence was poor. The methodical aspects of vigour evaluation of cocksfoot seeds are discussed.