Validation of vigor tests for rocket seeds (Eruca sativa L.)

Abstract

The limitations of the germination test, which is not efficient in detecting differences in batches with high percentage of twinning, are a major factor that favors the gain space increasing vigor tests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of different tests for evaluating seed vigor rocket (Eruca sativa L.). The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis and Experimental Horta in the Department of Plant Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA) in Mossoró, RN, during the period from May to August 2011. We used rocket seed, Folha Larga and Cultivada varieties, each represented by four and five lots, respectively. The seeds were evaluated by germination, first count, electrical conductivity, potassium leaching, accelerated aging with saturated and seedling emergence in the field. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. The means were submitted to Tukey test at 5% probability and later analysis Pearson correlation at 5% probability. It is found that the electrical conductivity is the most suitable for evaluating the physiological seed rocket.