Relationship between the length of the lag period of germination and the emergence performance of oat (Avena sativa) seeds

The objectives of this paper were to ascertain whether Mean Just Germination Time (MJGT) or Mean Germination Time (MGT), the mean lag periods between the start of imbibition and just germination (radicle emergence) or germination (2 mm radicle), respectively, are related to germination and seedling emergence for use in assessing vigour of oat seed lots. In the first experiment, three seed lots harvested in 2004, 2008 and 2009 were germinated using the rolled towel germination method and a laboratory soil emergence test conducted at 13 and 20 degrees C. MJGT and MGT were negatively related with germination and seedling length, and positively related with the variation in seedling length and mean emergence time (MET). There is potential for MJGT and MGT to be used as indicators to predict oat seed soil emergence and seedling growth. In the second experiment, 15 seed lots were used to compare the relationship between MJGT and MET. The results show that the MJGT of 15 seed lots ranged from 2.11 days (lot 5) to 5.19 days (lot 12), with the germination and soil emergence percentages decreasing together. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation relationship between MJGT and the soil emergence percentage. MJGT is thus a good indicator of the laboratory soil emergence performance of oat seed.