Factors affecting seed and seedling vigour Seed vigour is a term encompassing the sum total of those properties of the seed that determine the potential performance of the seed or seed lot during germination and seedling emergence (Perry, 1978). Rapid and uniform germination are among the properties of vigorous seeds (Argerish & Bradford, 1989). Low vigour adversely affects such factors as optimal emergence, stress resistance and uniform growth of emergent seedlings (Patrick et al, 2000) and is thus …showed first 75 words of 2140 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2140 total…pH and salicylic acid treatments. Process Biochemistry, 35, 603-613. Perry, D.A. (1978) Report on the vigour test committee 1974-7. Seed Science Technology, 6, 159-181. Richards, R.A. and Lukacs, Z (2002) Seedling vigour in wheat-sources of variation for genetic and agronomic improvement. Australian Jounal of Agricultural Research, 53, 41-50. Sawan, Z.M., Gregg, B.R. and Yousef, S.E. (1999) Effect of phosphorus, chelated zinc and calcium on cotton seed yield, viability and seedling vigour. Seed Science and Technology, 27, 329-337.