TESTS FOR THE SELECTION OF FORAGE TURNIP PROGENY TO ORDER THE VIGOR AND LONGEVITY OF SEEDS

Abstract

Forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg.) progeny with seeds of higher physiological quality are of importance for farmers and seed producing companies. The objective of this work was to identify tests to be used in laboratories for the selection of turnip progeny having seeds of higher germination, vigor, seedling emergence in the field, and storage potential. Seeds of 100 turnip progeny of paternal half-sibs were evaluated as to water content, 1,000-seed mass, first count of the standard germination test, accelerated aging, and seedling emergence in the field. The seeds were subjected to storage for 12 months in unifoliate paper bags kept under room conditions and then evaluated by means of the standard germination test, first count of the standard germination test, and water content. The data were examined as to variance and genetic and phenotypic correlations, heritability, coefficients of genetic variation, and selection gain. The standard germination test, first count of germination, and the accelerated aging test can be used to select forage turnip progeny for seed physiological quality and storage potential. None of the tests used were efficient at selecting progeny with high field emergence.