Determination of the best seed vigor test for the prediction of germination and yield in soybean

The best seed vigor test for predicting the seedling emergence as well as the relationship with grain yield in soybean was determined. The study was conducted using eight soybean cultivars (Steel، BP، Habit، Harcor، Hil، JK، Klark and Williams). Laboratory tests including germination، seed deterioration and seedling growth tests were carried out and the data was statistically analyzed using completely randomized design. The field experiment was conducted at Islamic Azad University، Pars Abad Moghan Branch experimental station in 2011 and the data was analyzed using randomized complete blocks. The results showed that germination rate (germination test) had the highest relationship with seedling emergence in field and the equation estimate 86% of variation in prediction of seedling emergence using linear regression. The results of variable selection in mode of stepwise procedure showed that only germination rate at germination test had significant effect in the prediction of seedling emergence in the field. Therefore، this trait can be used for the prediction of soybean seedling emergence in the field. Thus this factor can be used for prediction of soybean seedling emergence in field. The results also showed that the correlation between seed vigor (rapid، uniformity and germination percentage) with grain yield was not significant when optimum plant density was applied in the field.