Two experiments were carried out to study the correction effect of the electrical conductivity value of the imbibition solution (mS cm-1 g-1) as affected by the conductivity of the water used in the test and the effects seed number and volume of water on the electric conductivity of the imbibition solution, to improve the methodology for this test in the evaluation of pearl millet seed vigor. Three seed lots were used, lot 1 represented by cv. Comum and the lots 2 and 3 by cv. BN2. In experiment 1 the electrical conductivities of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 seeds of lot 1 were evaluated and placed in 100 ml distilled water. In experiment 2 the combinations of 25, 50 and 100 seeds and 50, 75 and 100 ml of water were studied for the three lots. The conductivity tests were carried out at 25 Cº, with 24h imbibition. The statistical model was the complete randomized block, with four replications for all the treatments. The conductivity of the water used in the test influenced the calculated value of the electrical conductivity of the imbibition solution for pearl millet seeds, when the value of the conductivity of the solution is low. The best combination for the electrical conductivity test for pearl millet seeds was 100 seeds and 100 ml of water, because it identified best the differences among the lots.
pearl millet; seeds; electrical conductivity test; vigour test; Pennisetum americanum
