Accelerated ageing as a vigour test for crambe (Crambe abyssinica) seeds

Adequate seed vigour tests are fundamental in evaluating vigour level and consequent performance of seed lots in storage and in the field conditions. The accelerated ageing is one of the most important of these tests. To establish the best accelerated ageing procedure for evaluating the vigour of crambe seeds, we compared results from the traditional method (ageing periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours at temperatures of 41 and 45 °C) and the saturated salt accelerated ageing (SSAA) (NaCl) method. In addition to accelerated ageing, germination in a sand substrate, seedling emergence in laboratory, and seed moisture content before and after seed ageing were determined. Our first count was highly sensitive in detecting seed vigour level. Both the traditional and SSAA methods can be used to efficiently classify the vigour of crambe seed lots and could be promising techniques for crambe seed quality control programs. To evaluate vigour of crambe seed lots, the traditional accelerated ageing test should be executed for 48 hours at 41 °C and the SSAA method, for 24 hours at 41 or 45 °C. Seedling assessment should be carried out on the fourth day for both methodologies.