Canola seed vigor under controlled deterioration testing

Canola (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) is an oilseed with considerable economic importance for human and animal consumption and biodiesel production. Vigor testing is essential in the search for greater advances in determining seed quality. In this respect, the present study aimed to adapt controlled deterioration testing to assess canola seed vigor. To that end, four seed lots of the Nuola 300 canola hybrid were initially characterized using the following tests: moisture content, thousand seed weight, germination first count, germination percentage, germination speed index, initial stand, seedling emergence percentage, emergence speed index, and cold testing. For controlled deterioration, the initial moisture content was adjusted to 15, 18, 20 and 22% and the samples were then placed in a water bath at 41 and 45 degrees C in a water bath for 24 hours, for germination and assessed five days after sowing. In canola seeds, controlled deterioration tests should be conducted at an 18% moisture content and temperature of 45 degrees C for 24 hours to evaluate physiological potential.