Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Seed weight, seed vigor index and field emergence in six upland cotton cultivars

Author(s):

Gonçalo Barradas ^1*, Rafael J. López-Bellido ²

Recieved Date: 2007-01-13, Accepted Date: 2007-03-26

Abstract:

In regions where a short growing season is combined with low soil temperatures at sowing, field emergence and stand establishment is one of the most critical stages in cotton production. This study evaluates the relations between seed weight, seed vigor index and field emergence on 6 upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes, grown at Alentejo (Portugal). Leaf area per cotyledon, cotyledons to total leaf area and to total dry weight ratios were also analyzed. Seed vigor index, the sum of cold and standard germination tests, showed significant differences between genotypes, and different year to year soil temperatures had a significant impact on seedling emergence. No significant correlations were found between field emergence and seed weight or seed vigor index. However, poor positive linear relationships were found between seed weight and seed vigor index, as well as between standard test and field emergence. Probably, the expected impact of seed quality on field emergence was overlapped or confused by the influence of other factors (soil crusting) than temperature physical stress exerted over seeds. Cotyledons per total leaf area and dry weight represent important proportions of the entire plants during the relatively long seedling period often observed in the cotton crop grown on marginal spring weather conditions.

Keywords:

Cotton, genotypes, seed germination, seed weight, seed index, field emergence, cotyledons

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2007
Volume: 5
Issue: 2
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 116-121

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :