Electrical Conductivity Estimates of Normal Germination Percentages of Seed Lots Belong to The Same and Different Cultivars in Cabbage

Electrical conductivity testing is a widely used, rapid, and non-destructive method to assess seed vigor and predict germination potential. This study investigated the potential of electrical conductivity to predict normal germination percentages in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) seed lots of varying genetic backgrounds and storage histories. A total of 30 seed lots produced between 2006 and 2024, with moisture contents ranging from 6.1% to 7.3%, were analysed. Normal germination percentages varied from 0% to 99%, reflecting differences in seed age and storage conditions. Electrical conductivity values were consistently higher in seed lots with low normal germination and lower in lots with high normal germination across single-cultivar, multiple-cultivar, and hybrid seed groups. Boxplot analyses showed visible differences in normal germination and electrical conductivity distributions, but Kruskal–Wallis tests indicated no significant group-wise differences. Strong negative correlations were observed between electrical conductivity and normal germination in all groups (Spearman ρ = −0.82, P < 0.001), with linear regression explaining 84% of normal germination variation (NG = −0.15 × EC + 120.4, R² = 0.84, P < 0.001). Electrical conductivity thresholds corresponding to the minimum commercial germination standard of 75% were estimated between 280 and 322 µS cm⁻¹ g⁻¹, suggesting that electrical conductivity measurement is a reliable predictor of cabbage seed quality, independent of cultivar type or seed lot origin.