Seed vigour tests to predict seed quality after storage in spinach seed lots

A study was carried out to determine whether seed vigour tests including radicle emergence (RE), mean germination time (MGT) and accelerated ageing (AA) correlate with post-storage germination percentages (PSGP) and mean germination times (PSMGT) of spinach seed lots after one of year hermetic storage at 18°C with 11.9 and 13.9% seed moisture. The RE test counted radicle emergence percentage (2 mm) after 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours of germination, and mean germination was calculated by daily counts over 21 days at 20°C. Accelerated ageing was conducted at 41°C for 72 hours at 100% RH. Correlation analysis showed significantrelationships between both PSGP and PSMGT values after storage and initial MGT ( r = 0.807-0.840, p < 0.001), RE ( r = 0.681-0.932, p < 0.01-0.001) and AA ( r = 0.690-0.890, p < 0.001). This indicates that these three seed vigour tests can predict the quality after storage of spinach seeds.