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Viability of Roughpea Seed as Affected by Time of Harvest and Drying Temperatures 1
Author(s) -
Bennett Hugh W.,
Marchbanks W. W.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1966.00021962005800010028x
Subject(s) - germination , moisture , water content , horticulture , biology , agronomy , maximum temperature , chemistry , physics , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering , thermodynamics
Unfolded flower standards indicate that pollination has taken place in roughpea. This has ben designated as flowering. Seed was harvested 14, 18, 21, 23, and 28 days after flowering. They were then dried for 8, 16, 24, 36, and 72 hours, at temperatures of 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140F. The rate and total amount of moisture removed was greatest for the first 8‐hour drying period in all harvests. The higher drying temperatures removed the greatest amount of moisture. Roughpea seed, harvested 14 days after flowering, failed to germinate when dried at any temperature (for any length of time). Limited and erratic germination was obtained from seed harvested 18 days after flowering; this was reduced as the drying temperature increased. Twenty‐one‐day‐old seed germinated well when dried at temperatures of ll0F or lower. Germination was reduced as the drying temperatures increased above ll0F. Seed of this age was mature and of a high moisture content. It is the earliest age that roughpeas may be safely harvested. Seed 28 days of age gave excellent germination when dried at all the temperatures used but germination declined somewhat as temperature of drying increased. Maximum yields of viable seed would be obtained by harvests made 1 week earlier than now practiced and followed by proper drying temperature and period.