Improper handling of seed during harvesting may result in severe seed
vigour loss. The objective of this study was to determine, under field
conditions, the effect of threshing on wheat seed vigour. A conventio
nal combine and an axial flow rotary combine were used at three cylind
er speeds. The proportion of visually damaged seeds was assessed for a
ll samples, and subsequent vigour tests were conducted using visually
sound seed. Seed vigour was reduced when wheat was threshed at a high
cylinder speed. Wheat kernels threshed with the rotary combine were le
ss damaged than wheat kernels threshed with the conventional combine.
Both seedling emergence and grain yield were reduced by 20 plants m(-2
) and by 200 kg ha(-1), respectively, in plots seeded with kernels thr
eshed at a high cylinder speed compared with kernels threshed at a low
cylinder speed. Vigour of sound wheat kernels was negatively correlat
ed with the number of broken kernels in samples. To maintain high vigo
ur in wheat seed, it is essential to thresh at a low cylinder speed.