INFLUENCE OF THE SEED SIZE AND VARIETY ON THE SEEDLING VIGOUR AND GERMINABILITY IN THREE VARIETIES OF SOFT WHEAT SEED

Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine the effect of the seed size and variety on the germinability of the wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.). Three fractions of seed size (>3 mm, 2-3 mm and <2 mm) and three varieties of soft wheat (radika, amazon 150 and pobeda) were included as experimental factors. The seed was produced for commercial purposes from the category first generation certified seed (C1) in 2018. The laboratory examinations are conducted in the “Unilab” laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture in Shtip. The laboratory is accredited pursuant to the MKC EN ISO/IEC 17025:2006 standard for several methods among which the method for examining the quality of the seed of agricultural crops. The amazon 150 variety had the lowest seedling vigour (87,75%), but the highest total germinability (94,33%). Contrary to amazon 150, the pobeda variety had the biggest seedling vigour (92,08%), but the lowest level of total germinability (93,25%). The differences of the seedling vigour and the germinability between the varieties did not show any statistical justifiability. The middle fraction (2-3 mm) had significantly higher seedling vigour than the other two fractions. The first and the middle fraction (>3 mm and 2-3 mm) had a significantly higher total germinability compared to the third fraction (<2 mm). The seed sized proved to have the biggest and most important effect on the total germinability (49,32%). The variety did not prove to be a significant factor that influences the total germinability.