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The effects of grading and ‘priming’ seeds of crisp lettuce cv. Saladin, on germination at high temperature, seed ‘vigour’ and crop uniformity
Author(s) -
WURR D. C. E.,
FELLOWS JANE R.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1984.tb03058.x
Subject(s) - germination , priming (agriculture) , biology , test weight , seedling , horticulture , agronomy , cultivar
SUMMARY Three seedlots of crisp lettuce cv. Saladin were ‘primed’ in 1% tri‐potassium orthophosphate (K 3 PO 4 ) or in water for 6 to 12 h and then dried at room temperature. Two of the seedlots were separated into fractions of different mean weight before ‘priming’. The effects of ‘priming’ and grading on crop uniformity, germination at 35°C and root length in a slant test were evaluated. In general, ‘priming’ increased root length in a slant test but there were no consistent beneficial effects of ‘priming’ on seedling size, head weight or uniformity of head weight. Larger seed produced longer roots in a slant test than small seed and gave larger seedlings but seed size had no effect on head weight or cv. of head weight. ‘Priming’ had no effect on germination at 20°C but significantly increased germination at 35°C. ‘Priming’ in K 3 PO 4 was more effective than in water. It is suggested that the response of seeds to ‘priming’ varies with seedlot and individual seed weight.