Research Information System
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, vol.13, no.3, pp.363-368, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
This research was aimed to investigate the relationship between seed coat color and seed quality of red clover. For this purpose, seed lots of red clover visually inspected in terms of seed color and then they separated by digital color measurement equipment as seed color yellow, purple, brown and mixed. Germinations test, a thousand grain weight, water absorption rate, mean germination time, emergence percentage, the electrical conductivity (EC) test also performed for the selection of highly vigorous red clover seed lots in salt stress conditions (0, 60, 120, 180 & 240 mM NaCl). Results revealed that seed coat color of red clover could be preferred as an indicator of seed quality and seedling growth ability. Yellow colored seeds lots of red clover had higher vigor and seed quality than other colors. Mean germination time (MGT) and electrical conductivity (EC 4 h) test showed significant differences among the seed coat color. Meanwhile, these two tests also showed highly significant correlation in emergence and seedling percentage in salt stress conditions. Brown colored seed lots showed lover seed vigor and viability that their digital measurement values was measured as a 44.49 L*, 14.97 a*, 26.05 b*, 29.87 C* and 60.05 H°. The removal of the brown colored seed from the seed lots of red clover will improve the seed quality. © 2011 Friends Science Publishers.