Quantifying Seed Membrane Leakage and Water Potential to Predict Peanut Seed Quality and Maturity.

Germination tests have been widely used for testing seed vigor and predicting seed performance in the field. However, standard germination tests may not always be reliable indicators, especially when seed experiences adverse field conditions. Therefore, there is a need to develop and assess additional seed tests that may indicate crop field performance more reliably. Membrane electrolyte leakage and seed water potential have a significant relationship with field physiological traits for corn (Zea mays L.) and/or soybean (Glycine max L.) and may be appropriate for predicting seed quality in other species as well. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of a standard germination test combined with the assessments of seed membrane leakage and water potential in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for predicting the overall field performance of seed. Seed lots of six peanut cultivars were tested for germination, membrane leakage, and water potential and then planted in the field at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL, USA in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The cultivars were chosen to represent four different estimated germination potentials (GP - excellent, good, fair and poor) according to the preliminary results of a standard germination test and were categorized as follows: FloRun^TM ‘107’ (excellent GP), TUFRunner^TM ‘511’ and Georgia-06G (good GP), C-99R (fair GP), York and DP-1 (poor GP). During the season, seed emergence rate, plant root architecture, canopy development, chlorophyll fluorescence, grade and yield were measured. These characteristics were evaluated separately and in a multivariate model to examine overall field performance, and then related to the pre-plant assessments of seed quality. This research will contribute to the development of improved seed quality tests with tighter linkage to field performance than the standard assessment of germination.