Seed vigour may influence the establishment and growth of plants. However, the effect on plants production mostly annual crop, which harvesting is done in the reproductive phase, is not clear. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of sunflower achenes physiological quality on the seedlings establishment and plant performance. An experiment was installed in the field, with three lots of sunflower achenes, cultivar 'Embrapa 122 V2000', with distinct vigorous levels. Plant population was evaluated at 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 days after sowing (DAS). Plant height, leaf number, stem diameter and dry matter production were evaluated at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100DAS. At harvest (100DAS) the number of achenes per plant, mass of 1000 achenes and achenes yield (g plant-1 and kg ha-1) were also evaluated. Two and six months after harvest, the achenes were submitted to the following tests: germination, first count, accelerated aging, seedling emergence in sand, length of seedlings and electrical conductivity. The results indicated that achenes vigour affected plant population at 60DAS. Vigorous sunflower achenes improved the development of plants beyond 60DAS and this effect may persist until the final production, at initial population absence.
Helianthus annuus L.; development; achenes yield; physiological quality
