The Vigor-S system as an auxiliary component of the accelerated aging test procedure in soybean seeds

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Computerized seedling image analysis is available as a resource for evaluating seed vigor or as an auxiliary component while carrying out different tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Vigor-S system for interpretation of the accelerated aging test, rather than setting up the germination test for determination of soybean seed vigor. Nine seed lots of the soybean cultivar NS 7007 IPRO were used, which were tested for germination and vigor (electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, primary root emergence, seedling emergence in the field, and Vigor-S). To check the alternative procedure after accelerated aging, seeds that had been exposed to accelerated aging (the traditional procedure and with saturated salt solution) were placed to germinate; seedling images collected three days after germination at 25 °C were digitalized and analyzed by Vigor-S, obtaining vigor indices, hypocotyl length, primary root length, and total seedling length, which were subsequently compared with the results of the other vigor tests. The Vigor-S analyses made after both procedures of the accelerated aging test allow ranking of the seed lots in regard to vigor, in a way similar to the other tests recommended for soybean seeds, including the seedling emergence test.