Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed quality responses to fertiliser application

Variability in field emergence is considered to be a major problem for the pea (Pisum sativum L.) industry, usually because of variable seed lot vigour. Thirty pea seed lots (from six fertiliser treatments on five sites) were analysed for macronutrient concentration, and tested for germination, vigour (accelerated ageing and electroconductivity) and thousand seed weight (TSW). Fertiliser treatments had a significant effect on TSW at only one site, and on seed concentration of phosphorus, sulphur and potassium at three, four and one site, respectively; there were, however, no consistent effects of treatment. Seed lots did not differ in germination or vigour and no relationship between nutrient concentration and seed vigour was found.