Although the accelerated aging test is widely used to determine seed vigor, there are methodological variations in seed exposure time at 41 °C. Therefore, the objective was to indicate the most appropriate seed exposure time to segregate lots that also exhibits a correlation with seedling emergence in the field, and establish vigor levels using the aforementioned test. Soybean seed samples were collected at pre-sowing, representing 100 lots in the 2016/2017 growing season and 125 lots in the 2017/2018 season from different warehouses in 4 regions of Santa Catarina state (SC). Physiological quality was evaluated by germination, accelerated aging (24 and 48 h at 41 °C) and field emergence tests. The results were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis (p < 0.05). The rank sum index, associated with the Scott-Knott clustering method, was used to classify physiological quality. The average germination percentage was 90 and 91% in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons, respectively. Vigor obtained an average of 86 (2016/2017) and 85% (2017/2018), when seeds were submitted to accelerated aging for 48 h, and 89% (both seasons) for 24 h. In regard to field emergence, the average was 85 and 80% in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons, respectively. Considering the 225 lots, the greatest correlation with field emergence was observed in vigor - 48 h (r = 0.71 p < 0.05). Rank sum classification made it possible to establish vigor-based categories, whereby batches with over 85% vigor by 48-h accelerated aging were classified as high vigor, 70 to 84% medium vigor, and under 70% low vigor.
Differences in seed vigour traits between desi (pigmented) and kabuli (non-pigmented) ecotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and its association with field emergence