Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

V. Guberac, J. Martinčić and S. Marié:

Influence of seed size on germinability, germ length, rootlet length and grain yield in spring oat

Summary

During 1996, some laboratory tests have been conducted to determine the influence of seed size in spring oat (variety VESNA) on the germinability, germ length and rootlet length. Also, field trial has been conducted to determine the influence of seed size on the grain yield. Seed calibration has been performed and seed fractions (mm of diameter) as follows: 2,8; 2,5; 2,2 were analysed; as well as unsieved seed as a control. The seed fraction of 2,8 mm has had the largest values of germinability (99 %), further the seed fraction of 2,5 mm and unsieved seed (97 %), whereas the lowest values were attained with the seed fraction of 2,2 mm (95 %). The differences in germinability found between seed fractions have been statistically very significant (P < 0,01). Similar results were also achieved with the seed size influence on germ length and rootlet length, Seed fraction of 2,8 mm had the largest values of germ length (8,3 cm) and rootlet length (9,8 cm), whereas the lowest values were attained with the seed fraction of2,2 mm, respectively (germ length 6,5 cm and rootlet length 8,0 cm). The found differences in germ length and roodet length between seed fractions have been statistically very significant (P < 0,01). The greatest grain yield of spring oats were attained with the seed fraction of 2,8 mm (4,467 t/ha), and the smallest grain yield with the seed fraction of 2,2 mm (3,376 t/ha). The found differences between seed fractions have been statistically significant (P < 0,05). Key words:  oat, seed size, seed fraction, germinability; rootlet length, germ length, grain yield, seed stuff.