Effect of tannin content of faba bean (Vicia faba) seed on seed vigour, germination and field emergence


KANTAR F., Pilbeam C., Hebblethwaite P.

Annals of Applied Biology, vol.128, no.1, pp.85-93, 1996 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 128 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 1996
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1996.tb07092.x
  • Journal Name: Annals of Applied Biology
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.85-93
  • Keywords: Emergence, faba bean, germination, seed vigour, tannin content, testa, Vicia faba
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Differences in seed vigour of zero- and high-tannin faba beans were investigated using 25 seed lots of 12 cultivars following earlier reports of poor emergence in the zero-tannin types. Field emergence ranged from 54-96% indicating differences in seed vigour between cultivars all having high laboratory germination (> 91%). Seed from zero-tannin accessions with poor emergence had a higher incidence of testa and cotyledon cracking, a smaller percentage of hard seeds, more rapid water uptake, a lower percentage of vital staining of cotyledons and a greater leaching of solutes than high- tannin types. Nevertheless, variation in these characteristics existed between cultivars and lines of both types. Seeds with more cracks in the seed coat and fewer hard seeds imbibed water more rapidly and consequently showed lower levels of vital staining and more cracks in the abaxial surface of the cotyledons. Slower imbibition in polyethylene glycol lessened the incidence of these deleterious characteristics and may provide a practical resolution to the problem of poor field emergence in zero-tannin lines of faba bean with low seed vigour.