Viability and Vigour of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) Seeds

The aim of seed testing was to avoid planting seeds that do not have the ability to grow into expected plants. Seed germination testing is a method that provide to provide information for seed users about the seeds ability to grow into plants that have. The viability testing that usually used on sesame seeds is germination testing. The aim of germination testing is to detect seeds germination viability under optimum condition. This research has purpose to determine the correlation between germination, vigour index, and maximum growth potential of sesame seeds. Seeds that used in this research were Sumberejo 4 varieties which have been stored for 6 and 7 years. Seed germination testing was held based on ISTA Rules method. Germination testing were carried out on filter paper at temperature changes between 20C and 30C. Seedling evaluation was carried out on the 3 and 6 days. The vigour index evaluation was carried out on the 3 days. The criteria of sesame seedlings refers to ISTA Handbook on Seedling Evaluation with germination type E, A-2-1-1-1 seedling group. Abnormal seedlings that were found on the research categorized as rotten seedlings due to primary infection, damaged primary root, inhibited primary root development, no primary root or missing, and no hypocotyl. The results showed that seed germination was positively correlated with the vigour index (r = 0,912**) and maximum growth potential (r = 0,859**), and vigour index was positively correlated with maximum grwoth potential (r = 0,805**).