Application of chlorophyll fluorescence in sorting controlled deteriorated white cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Seeds.

Median CF signal, seed number, germination percentage, T10, U90-10, mean germination time and seed leachate electrical conductivity for each obtained subsample were determined. Increasing median CF signal was correlated with the change in germination parameters and seed leachate electrical conductivity, confirming a decrease in seed quality. CF sorting was more effective after the cd treatment. Seeds first subjected to a cd treatment and subsequently sorted in the low CF subsample showed comparable germination parameters as seeds belonging to the low CF subsample and without a cd treatment. However, control seeds showed a dramatic decrease in quality after the cd treatment. CF method could be useful for a better understanding of the distribution of seed sub-groups with different vigour patterns within a deteriorated seed population and for the related application in sorting a highly viable seed subsample from a deteriorated seed lot after storage in a genebank.