2.7. Laboratory seedling vigor test
Twenty-five seeds from the seeds of the primary seed heads
from each plot were taken (i.e. 4 replicates), distributed and rolled
between two towel papers perfectly moistened by tap-water. The
fungicide Thiram was added at a rate of 1.5 g/l, for control of any
fungal infection. The papers were rolled, wrapped by wax paper,
labeled and placed inside a polythene bag to maintain the moisture
content of the towel papers, then kept inside an incubator adjusted
at 25 ◦C for 14 days. Ten seedlings per experimental unit were randomly
taken for measurement of root and shoot lengths and fresh