Seed size and water potential effects on germination and seedling growth of winter wheat

Published reports on the effects of seed size on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) vigor are conflicting. The interactive effects of seed size and water stress on germination and early growth of wheat are perhaps important in this regard. Experiments were conducted to measure the effects of seed size and water potential on germination and seedling growth of the soft red winter wheat genotypes «Auburn» and «Howell». In a growth chamber germination test using solutions of mannitol, germination percentage (GP) was not affected by seed size, but osmoticum of -300 kDa reduced GP to 69 compared to 88 and 89 for the 0 and -100 kDa treatments, respectively