Seed moisturization as an enhancement treatment for emergence and seedlinggrowth in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effects of seed moisture (8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18%) on field emergence , (3 sowing dates in two years), seedling dry weight electrical conductivit y in two different coloured cultivars (red: 4F-89, white: Yalova-5) of Phas eolus vulgaris were investigated. Increasing seed moisture up to 14-16% imp roved emergence, while seedling dry weight continued to increase until 18%. Both varieties gave a similar response to moisture content although the wh ite coated cultivar performed worse than red one in all criteria. In both y ears, higher seedling dry weight was associated with increased seed moistur e and mean time to emerge. At 8% of seed moisture content, hardseededness c ontributed failure of emergence in red coloured one. Soil temperatures abov e 13.5 degrees C did not affect emergence and seedling growth.