ABSTRACT Forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg.) progeny with seeds of higher physiological quality are of importance for farmers and seed producing companies. The objective of this work was to identify tests to be used in laboratories for the selection of turnip progeny having seeds of higher germination, vigor, seedling emergence in the field, and storage potential. Seeds of 100 turnip progeny of paternal half-sibs were evaluated as to water content, 1,000-seed mass, first count of the standard germination test, accelerated aging, and seedling emergence in the field. The seeds were subjected to storage for 12 months in unifoliate paper bags kept under room conditions and then evaluated by means of the standard germination test, first count of the standard germination test, and water content. The data were examined as to variance and genetic and phenotypic correlations, heritability, coefficients of genetic variation, and selection gain. The standard germination test, first count of germination, and the accelerated aging test can be used to select forage turnip progeny for seed physiological quality and storage potential. None of the tests used were efficient at selecting progeny with high field emergence. | RESUMO Variedades de nabo-forrageiro (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg.) com sementes de maior qualidade fisiológica são de interesse para os agricultores e empresas do setor sementeiro. Neste trabalho, o objetivo foi identificar testes passíveis de utilização em laboratório para a seleção de progênies de nabo-forrageiro com sementes de maior germinação, vigor, emergência de plântulas em campo e potencial de armazenamento. Sementes de 100 progênies de meio-irmãos de nabo-forrageiro foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, massa de mil sementes, primeira contagem de germinação, germinação, envelhecimento acelerado e emergência de plântulas em campo. As sementes foram armazenadas por 12 meses em sacos de papel unifoliados mantidos em laboratório e avaliadas por meio do teste de germinação, primeira contagem e teor de água. Os dados experimentais foram avaliados quanto à variância e correlações genotípicas e ambientais; herdabilidades; coeficientes de variação genética e ganho por seleção. O teste de germinação, primeira contagem e envelhecimento acelerado podem ser utilizados para a seleção de progênies de nabo-forrageiro visando maior vigor e potencial de armazenamento das sementes. Nenhum dos testes foi eficiente para selecionar progênies visando maior emergência de plântulas em campo.

Forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg.) progeny with seeds of higher physiological quality are of importance for farmers and seed producing companies. The objective of this work was to identify tests to be used in laboratories for the selection of turnip progeny having seeds of higher germination, vigor, seedling emergence in the field, and storage potential. Seeds of 100 turnip progeny of paternal half-sibs were evaluated as to water content, 1,000-seed mass, first count of the standard germination test, accelerated aging, and seedling emergence in the field. The seeds were subjected to storage for 12 months in unifoliate paper bags kept under room conditions and then evaluated by means of the standard germination test, first count of the standard germination test, and water content. The data were examined as to variance and genetic and phenotypic correlations, heritability, coefficients of genetic variation, and selection gain. The standard germination test, first count of germination, and the accelerated aging test can be used to select forage turnip progeny for seed physiological quality and storage potential. None of the tests used were efficient at selecting progeny with high field emergence.