Previous experience has shown that the impact of drought on germination is variable.The defining factor is the stage at which the crop ceased supplying nutrients to the grain. The developing seed needs to have reached soft-dough stage before filling ceased to be viable.

If grain-fill stops at the soft-dough stage it will shrink considerably as it dries down. This will produce a significantly smaller endosperm with potentially reduced germination capacity and less seedling vigour. The process is similar for pulses and oilseeds. This article looks at:

• germination
• seed vigour
• sowing seed for 2007.