Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T22:10:18.022Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The development of seed quality in spring and winter cultivars of barley and wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

R. H. Ellis  and
C. Pieta Filho
R. H. Ellis*
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
C. Pieta Filho
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
*
* Correspondence
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Seed development and changes in germination ability and longevity were monitored in two spring and two winter cultivars of each of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat(Triticum aestivum L.). Physiological maturity (end of the seed-filling period) occurred between 31 and 41 d after 50% anthesis in the eight cultivars, at which time seed moisture contents had declined naturally to 40–49% (wet basis). Most seeds were able to germinate (in 28 d tests at 10°C) following enforced desiccation at this time (normal germination varied from 83% in one cultivar of winter wheat to 97% in one of spring wheat).Potential seed longevity continued to increase after physiological maturity. The intervalbetween physiological maturity and the time when seeds attained maximum potential longevity varied between 3 and 21 d; maturation drying had reduced seed moisture contents to 16–28% (wb) at this time. The results for all eight cultivars contradict the hypothesis that maximum seed quality is attained at physiological maturity and thereafter declines. The term physiological maturity is potentially misleading, therefore; mass maturity is more appropriate to describe this developmental stage. It is shown that the results of accelerated ageing or controlled deterioration tests may provide misleading conclusions in seed quality development studies if the single storage treatment chosen is inappropriate.

Keywords

barleyHordeum vulgare L.seed developmentseed longevityseed qualityTriticum aestivum L.wheat
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1992 , pp. 9 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

1

Present address Empresa Catannense de Pesquisa Agropecuana EMPASC, Caixa Postal 1460 88001, Flonanopohs/SC/Brazil

References

Anon. (1985a) International rules for seed testing. Rules 1985. Seed Science and Technology 13, 299–355.Google Scholar
Anon. (1985b) International rules for seed testing. Annexes 1985. Seed Science and Technology 13, 356–513.Google Scholar
Dell'Aquila, A. and Tritto, V. (1991) Germination and biochemical activities in wheat seeds following delayed harvesting, ageing and osmotic priming. Seed Science and Technology 19, 73–82.Google Scholar
Delouche, J.C. and Baskin, C.C. (1973) Accelerated ageing techniques for predicting the relative storability of seed lots. Seed Science and Technology 1, 427–452.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H. and Roberts, E.H. (1980a) Improved equations for the prediction of seed longevity. Annals of Botany 45, 13–30.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H. and Roberts, E.H. (1980b) The influence of temperature and moisture on seed viability period in barley (Hordeum distichum L.). Annals of Botany 45, 31–37.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H. and Roberts, E.H. (1980c) Towards a rational basis for testing seed quality. pp. 605–635 in Hebble-thewaite, P.D. (Ed.) Seed production. London, Butterworths.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1985) Handbook of seed technology for genebanks. Volume II. Compendium of specific germination information and test recommendations. Rome, Italy, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1987) Comparison of cumulative germination and rate of germination of dormant and aged barley seed lots at different constant temperatures. Seed Science and Technology 15, 717–727.Google Scholar
Harrington, J.F. (1972) Seed storage and longevity. pp. 145–245 in Kozlowski, T.T. (Ed.) Seed biology Volume III. New York, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Kameswara Rao, N., Appa Rao, S., Mengesha, M.H. and Ellis, R.H. (1991) Longevity of pearl millet seeds harvested at different stages of maturity. Annals of Applied Biology 119, 97–103.Google Scholar
Kay, F.F. (1936) A soil survey of the University Farm, Sonning, Berkshire, Reading University of Reading.Google Scholar
Matthews, S. (1980) Controlled deterioration: a new vigour test for crop seeds. pp. 647–660 in Hebblethwaite, P.D. (Ed.) Seed production. London, Butterworths.Google Scholar
Petruzzelli, L. (1986) Wheat viability at high moisture content under hermetic and aerobic storage conditions. Annals of Botany 58, 259–265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pieta Filho, C. and Ellis, R.H. (1991a) The development of seed quality in spring barley in four environments. I. Germination and longevity. Seed Science Research 1, 163–177.Google Scholar
Pieta Filho, C. and Ellis, R.H. (1991b) The development of seed quality in spring barley in four environments. II. Field emergence and seedling size. Seed Science Research 1, 179–185.Google Scholar
Pieta Filho, C. and Ellis, R.H. (in press) Estimating the value of the seedlot constant (K i) of the seed viability equation in barley and wheat. Seed Science and Technology.Google Scholar
Rasyad, D.A., Van Sanford, D.A. and TeKrony, D.M. (1990) Changes in seed viability and vigour during wheat seed maturation. Seed Science and Technology 18, 259–267.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H. (1972) Storage environment and the control of viability. pp. 14–58 in Roberts, E.H. (Ed.) Viability of seeds. London, Chapman and Hall.Google Scholar
Shands, H.L., Janisch, D.C. and Dickson, A.D. (1967) Germination response of barley following different harvesting conditions and storage treatments. Crop Science 7, 444–446.Google Scholar
Shaw, R.H. and Loomis, W.E. (1950) Bases for the prediction of corn yields. Plant Physiology 25, 225–244.Google Scholar