The present study was conducted to evaluate seed vigour tests to predict the field emergence potential of finger millet and barnyard millet varieties. The three varieties each of finger millet and barnyard millet were evaluated in laboratory by different physical, physiological and biochemical vigour tests. The laboratory experiments were laid out in complete randomized design and the field emergence evaluation was carried out in randomized block design with four replications. The variety PRM-2 of finger millet and PRB-903 of barnyard millet were assessed as more vigorous than other varieties. PRM-2 of finger millet and PRB-903 of barnyard millet recorded significantly higher field emergence than other varieties. The correlation coefficient of test weight, final count, standard germination, seedling vigour index I and relative growth index were found significantly correlated with field emergence in both finger millet and barnyard millet. The correlation coefficient of test weight (r = 0.859** in finger millet and r = 0.807** in barnyard millet) and seedling vigour index I (r = 0.990** in finger millet and r = 0.999** in barnyard millet) were recorded highly significant with field emergence. Therefore, test weight and seedling vigour index I were able to predict field emergence potential of finger millet and barnyard millet.

Highlights

• Finger millet and barnyard millet is one of the most popular traditional crop in Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
• To predict field potential under laboratory condition test weight and seedling vigour index I might be a good approach.