Abstract
This study was carried out to compare the results of laboratory tests of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) seed quality to field emergence. Four cultivars each of pigeonpea and winged bean were tested for various laboratory and vigour tests which included tetrazolium (Tz) test, germination test, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, 1000-seed weight, seedling length, and seedling vigour. The results obtained were compared with field emergence. High positive correlation values were reported in both species for the Tz test and germination tests (?+0.895). However, distinctly high negative correlations (?-0.909) were obtained with respect to electrical conductivity when compared to field emergence, but more so for winged bean than for pigeonpea. Seedling vigour was highly correlated with field emergence (+0.941) in pigeonpea. Similarly, a value of +0.887 was obtained for winged bean, an indication that high vigour seed lots carry a very low risk factor. The risk increases with decreasing vigour levels. The results demonstrated that seedling vigour and electrical conductivity measurements were the most sensitive indicators in the prediction of field emergence of winged bean and pigeonpea.
