Seed Quality of Vetch (Vicia sativa) affected by Different Seed Colors and Sizes after Various Storage Periods

In many regions worldwide, vetch is an important forage crops for the production of fibrous feed. Vetch seed available on the south-eastern Europe market often differ in the size, colour and age, hence seed quality and seedling vigour are questionable. Seed samples of two vetch varieties were drawn from three lots during two years. According to these samples, seeds were classified into groups of three sizes and three colours. The effect of the seed size and colour on seed quality and seedling vigour was estimated immediately after harvest, and then nine, 21 and 33 months after harvest. The determined effects of seed size, colour and age, as well as of their interactions on seed quality and seedling vigour were significant. On the other hand, years, varieties, lots and their interactions did not significantly affect seed quality and seedling vigour. There were no significant differences in seed quality and seedling vigour over nine, 21 and 33 month storage periods, but the ageing test showed the significant differences among the duration of storage. Germination and vigour of seedlings were significantly higher in large seeds. Pale seeds had better quality after nine and 21 month storage period (time when the seed in the second year after harvesting should be sown), while seed quality was greater in dark seeds after 33 months of storage (time when the seed in the third year after harvesting should be sown). (C) 2018 Friends Science Publishers