Evaluation of relationship between seed vigor and grain yield in rainfed wheat genotypes

To evaluate the seed vigor in six advanced wheat genotypes (Sardari-39، Sardari-101، Sar/Sak//Arufen، 914- Genbank، Rasad and Azar-2) and to determine the correlations of qualitative traits of seed vigor with wheat field performance، this research was carried out in two laboratory and field experiments in 200 - 2010 at Dryland Agriculture Research Institute (DARI)، Maragheh، Iran. Laboratory tests were performed as completely randomized design with four replications، and field experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of laboratory experiment showed significant differences among wheat varieties for all traits including germination rate، mean time of germination، electrical conductivity، number of normal seedlings، primary root، shoot and seedling dry weights. Rasad variety had greatest primary root، shoot and seedling dry weights، and was superior in seed vigor. Results of field experiment showed significant differences in spike. m-2، harvest index، biologic and grain yield among wheat genotypes. The highest biological and grain yield belonged to Rasad and Sardari-101، respectively. The highest negative and positive correlations were observed between electrical conductivity and umber of normal seedlings with grain yield، respectively. Therefore، these traits can be used as criteria in primary screening for seed vigor in rainfed wheat.