Common bean seed vigor affecting crop grain yield

Abstract: Among the factors that affect seedling emergence and crop establishment are seed germination and vigor, which has an important influence on the establishment of the initial plant population and development, and may affect crop yield. Based on this background the objective of this research work was to evaluate the effects of seed vigor of common bean seed lots and its effects on crop grain yield. The treatments consisted of six seed lots of common bean, which were composed by different combinations of high and low vigor seeds. Seed lots were assessed by germination and vigor tests (first count of germination, electrical conductivity and accelerated aging). A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with plots of six lines of five meters and were evaluated for grain yield at harvest. It was concluded that seed vigor affects common bean grain yield; the use of low vigor seeds results in grain yield reductions of up to 20%.