Study on testing methods of oat seed vigour

In this study, three seed lots were harvested in 2004, 2007 and 2008 (Lot2004，Lot2007，Lot2008), and the seed vigor was measured by different methods including standard germination, rapid germination, conductivity measurement, methanol deterioration treatment and artificial aging treatment. The germination rates were Lot2007＞Lot2004＞Lot2008. Lot2004 and Lot2007 had no significant differences in seed germination percentage (P0.05), and the corresponding meant just germination time (MJGT) and germination time (MGT) showed a similar rank. Average germination time of Lot2008 was significantly longer than other samples (P0.01). However, ranks measured by artificial accelerated aging and field emergence were different. Seeds with long storage time had long emergence time, and their field emergence rates declined rapidly after aging. After 0 h, 0.5 h, 1.0 h, 1.5 h, 2.0 h methanol soaking, seed germination rate increased with the decreasing of immersion time. However, the percentage of normal seedling after 1.5 h methanol soaking was more than those of after 1.0 h soaking. In addition, there was no correlation among measurements of methanol deterioration treatment, artificial aging treatment, and standard germination and field germination rate. While MJGT and MGT were significantly correlated with field emergence rate, so MJGT and MGT were suggested as predictors of emergence of seed lots in field.