The electrical conductivity of soak-water of chickpea seeds provides a quick test indicative of field emergence

Fourteen commercially available seed lots of chickpeas produced in different locations in Iran were tested in the laboratory, and sown in the field from April 2008, to assess the relationship between germination, conductivity and field emergence. The normal germination of all lots was above 86%. The electrical conductivity of seed soak-water after 24 h at 20 degrees C was significantly correlated with conductivity after shorter periods of soaking, for example after a 2 h soak (r = 0.62, p < 0.05). The conductivity after 2 h was significantly related to field emergence (r = 0.73, p < 0.01) and plant density (r = 0.73, p < 0.01). Higher levels of leakage were seen for lots that gave low field emergence even though standard germination was high, indicating a range in seed vigour. Thus low vigour lots could be detected in just 2 h with an inexpensive conductivity meter. The conductivity test can therefore be applied to chickpea, as it is to other grain legumes. A rapid 2 h test may also have potential for use on farms prior to sowing.