Fava Bean Seedling Emergence and Seed Vigor

Abstract

The fava bean is a legume consumed in several regions of Brazil, particularly the Northeast. Given the importance of the species, this study aimed to assess the seed viability of ten fava bean varieties. Seeds were plant in perforated plastic trays filled with sand as substrate. Four repetitions of 25 seeds were used per treatment, with each treatment corresponding to one fava bean variety. The variables assessed were: emergence (%), emergence speed index (ESI) and mean emergence time (MET). The highest emergence percentages for the different varieties were recorded in the following order: mororó > cara larga > raio de sol > rainha > cavalo claro > orelha de vó > rajada. Seedling emergence was not observed for the ovo de lagartixa, fava feijão and feijão branco varieties. The highest emergence percentages and GI values were recorded for the mororó variety. The physiological quality of fava beans differs according to variety. Seeds of the mororó variety showed the best physiological quality.