Evaluation of seed vigor tests and field efficiency in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes

In this study, to evaluate the seed vigor tests associated with the emergence and yield of forage sorghum, three separate experiments consisted of standard germination test and seed deterioration test in a completely randomized design with four replications in Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz and culture in the city of Shoushtar were conducted. 8 genotypes of forage sorghum in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in 2014.Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences between genotypes in all three experiments for all traits except seedling length in standard germination test. The results showed that seed deterioration test reduces seed germination percentage (39%), germination rate (38%), seedling length (11%) and fresh weight (40%) and dry weight (13%).In terms of percentage and rate of germination and emergence in three experiments, genotype KFS18 was superior genotype. The maximum of the dry forage yield of 9.5 tons per hectare belonged to genotypes KFS2 and KFS18. So it became clear that superior genotype was KFS18.The results showed that the correlations between the percentage of germination and emergence and biomass production in field experiments with standard germination test and seed deterioration test were significant. The seed deterioration test and standard germination test could predict emergence of sorghum in the field.