effects of genotype and mechanical damage during harvest on field pea (pisum sativum l.) seed quality

Three field pea genotypes (NS Junior, Jezero and Javor) have been assessed for effects of genotype and mechanical damage during harvest on most important parameters of the physical quality of seed. Four harvest treatments were examined (hand harvest, mechanized harvest at 500, 650 and 800 rpm). After harvest, purity of harvested seed and percentages of seeds damaged by insects, seeds with cracked seed coat and broken seeds were analyzed. Highest contents of seeds with damaged seed coat (9.0%) and broken seeds (11.3%) were found in Javor, the genotype with largest seeds. After seed processing, seed vigor, germination, proportion of atypical seedlings and 1000-seed weight were determined. Lowest values of seed vigor and germination (79.8% and 84.9%, respectively) and the largest proportion of atypical seedlings (11.4%) were found in the genotype Javor. Highly significant correlations were found between seed vigor, germination and atypical seedlings on one side and 1000-seed weight on the other (r=-0.53, r=-0.51, and r=0.60, respectively). Damages that increase the portion of atypical seedlings have the largest impact on the quality of pea seeds. This characteristic is determined by the genotype, which should be kept in mind when defining objectives of field pea breeding programs.