Accelerated ageing test to evaluate seed vigor in pumpkin and zucchini seeds

The accelerated ageing (AA) test is widely used to evaluate seed vigor in various species including vegetable crops. The objective of this work was to study procedures for conducting AA to evaluate seed vigor of pumpkin and zucchini seed lots. Five seed lots of commercially acceptable quality (germination) standards were selected from both cv. `Menina Brasileira' (zucchini) and `Barbara' Hybrid (pumpkin). The following tests were conducted: standard germination, the first count of germination, and AA with and without saline solution (periods of 48, 72 and 96 hours). For each combination of temperature and ageing period, seeds were placed in a single layer on a screen in a germination plastic box with either 40 mL deionized water or 40g NaCl/100mL of water. Both AA methods identified lots 2 and 5 of `Menina Brasileira' and lot 10 of `Barbara' hybrid as having the lowest physiological quality. The temperature 41 C promoted a more drastic reduction in germination than did 38 C. This observation was more marked after 96 hours. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the combination 41 degrees C/96 hours should be used to evaluate the physiological potential of pumpkin and zucchini seeds; however, additional studies are necessary to evaluate other combinations and confirm this indication.

Automated system of seedling image analysis (SVIS) and electrical conductivity to assess sun hemp seed vigor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Automated system of seedling image analysis (SVIS) and electrical conductivity to assess sun hemp seed vigor

The development of new procedures for quickly obtaining accurate information on the physiological potential of seed lots is essential for developing quality control programs for the seed industry. In this study, the effectiveness of an automated system of seedling image analysis (Seed Vigor Imaging System - SVIS) in determining the physiological potential of sun hemp seeds and its relationship with electrical conductivity tests, were evaluated. SVIS evaluations were performed three and four days after sowing and data on the vigor index and the length and uniformity of seedling growth were collected. The electrical conductivity test was made on 50 seed replicates placed in containers with 75 mL of deionised water at 25 ºC and readings were taken after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 hours of imbibition. Electrical conductivity measurements at 4 or 8 hours and the use of the SVIS on 3-day old seedlings can effectively detect differences in vigor between different sun hemp seed lots.

EFFECT OF DROUGHT AND DEFOLIATION STRESS IN THE FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED-GERMINATION AND VIGOR

Although drought and defoliation stress have been shown to reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.). Merr.] yield, little information has been published regarding their effects on soybean seed quality. Field experiments were conducted in 1986, 1987, and 1989 to evaluate the effect of drought and defoliation (1989 only) stress during soybean seed development on seed germination and vigor. Essex (MG [maturity group] V) and Union (MG III) were grown in 1986 and 1987, and Harper (MG III) and McCall (MG 00) in 1989. Moisture treatments were either well watered or drought stressed during seed development (R5 to R7). In 1989, a total defoliation treatment was also imposed at R6 as an additional stress factor. There were significant reductions in yield and yield components following drought stress in all 3 yr and following defoliation in 1989. Leaf conductance and transpiration also decreased in the drought stress treatments. There was no effect of drought stress on seed germination or seed vigor as measured by accelerated aging germination and the cold test across the four cultivars (determinate and indeterminate) and 3 yr. In 1989 slight changes in 3-d germination and conductivity occurred for some drought stress treatments. Most of this response, however, was related to increased occurrence of hard seed, which does not represent an indication of a change in vigor. Seed germination and vigor were significantly reduced for small, flat, shriveled, and underdeveloped seeds that only occurred following defoliation. These seeds represented a small portion of the seed lot that would normally be removed during conditioning. The data suggest that drought stress would have no effect on seed germination or vigor, unless the stress was severe enough to produce shriveled, flat, underdeveloped seeds.

Testes bioquímicos para avaliação do vigor em sementes de Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth

Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth. is a forest species of the Mimosaceae family, recommended for recovery of degraded areas. The evaluation of vigor by biochemical tests have been an important tool in the control of seed quality programs, and the electrical conductivity and potassium leaching the most efficient in the verifying the physiological potential. The objective, therefore, to adjust the methodology of the electrical conductivity test for seeds of M. caesalpiniaefolia, for then compare the efficiency of this test with the potassium in the evaluation of seed vigor of different lots of seeds M. caesalpiniaefolia. To test the adequacy of the electrical conductivity were used different combinations of temperatures , 25 °C and 30 ºC, number of seeds , 25 and 50, periods of imbibition , 4 , 8 , 12 , 16 and 24 hours , and volumes deionized water, 50 mL and 75mL. For potassium leaching test, which was conducted from the results achieved by the methodology of the adequacy of the electrical conductivity test, to compare the efficiency of both tests , in the classification of seeds at different levels of vigor, and the period 4 hours also evaluated because the potassium leaching test can be more efficient in the shortest time . The best combination obtained in experiment of electrical conductivity is 25 seeds soaked in 50 mL deionized or distilled water for 8 hours at a temperature of 30 ° C. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, the means were compared with each other by F tests and Tukey at 5 % probability, and when necessary polynomial regression analysis was performed. The electrical conductivity test performed at period eight hour proved to be more efficient in the separation of seed lots M. caesalpiniaefolia at different levels of vigor compared to the potassium test

Electrical conductivity of the seed soaking solution and soybean seedling emergence

Vigor of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seeds can be evaluated by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the seed soaking solution, which has shown a satisfactory relationship with field seedling emergence, but has not had aproper definition of range yet. This work studies the relationship between EC and soybean seedling emergence both in the field and laboratory conditions, using twenty two seed lots. Seed water content, standard germination and vigor (EC, accelerated aging and cold tests) were evaluated under laboratory conditions using -0.03; -0.20; -0.40 and -0.60 MPa matric potentials, and field seedling emergence was also observed. There was direct relationship between EC and field seedling emergence (FE). Under laboratory conditions, a decreasing relationship was found between EC and FE as water content in the substrate decreased, Relationships between these two parameters were also found when -0.03; -0.20 and -0.40 MPa matric potentials were used. EC tests can be used successfully to evaluate soybean seed vigor and identify lots with higher or lower field emergence potential.

Temperature during soybean seed storage and the amount of electrolytes of soaked seeds solution

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Testes de vigor para avaliação de sementes de pepino

Dentro de um programa de controle de qualidade, a avaliação do vigor de sementes é fundamental e necessária para o sucesso da produção. O trabalho teve por objetivo comparar diferentes métodos para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de pepino. Para tanto, cinco lotes de sementes do híbrido Safira foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, condutividade elétrica (4x50 sementes; 25ºC; 50 e 75mL; 12, 18 e 24h), germinação a baixa temperatura (4x50 sementes; 18ºC; contagens aos quatro e oito dias após a semeadura); envelhecimento acelerado tradicional (41ºC; 48, 72 e 96h) e com solução saturada de NaCl (41ºC; 72 e 96h). Pelos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que os testes de condutividade elétrica (50 e 75mL; 12, 18 e 24h) e de envelhecimento acelerado com o uso de solução salina (41ºC, por 72h), possibilitam a melhor identificação de lotes com diferentes níveis de qualidade fisiológica.

Teste de condutividade elétrica para a avaliação do vigor de sementes de abobrinha

O teste de condutividade elétrica da solução de embebição é recomendado para avaliar o vigor de sementes de ervilha e indicado para outras espécies, mas ainda há necessidade da continuidade de estudos sobre o assunto. A presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de comparar procedimentos no teste de condutividade elétrica para avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes de abobrinha. Utilizaram-se sementes de abobrinha (Cucurbita pepo L.), cultivar Menina Brasileira, representadas por quatro lotes na primeira etapa e por outros cinco, na segunda. Foram conduzidos os teste de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e de condutividade elétrica. Para o teste de condutividade foram estudadas variações no volume de água (50 e 75mL), na temperatura (20, 25 e 30ºC) e no tempo de embebição (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 e 24 horas). O tempo de embebição para o teste de condutividade elétrica pode ser reduzido para 8 horas. Independentemente do volume de água, a temperatura de 30ºC foi a mais favorável para a ordenação consistente dos lotes quanto ao vigor. Assim, conclue-se que a condição mais adequada para o teste de condutividade elétrica em sementes de abobrinha é a utilização de 50 sementes em 75mL de água por oito horas, a 30ºC.

Seed-borne pathogens and electrical conductivity of soybean seeds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Envelhecimento acelerado como teste de vigor para sementes de milho e soja

A avaliação do vigor de sementes tem sido ferramenta fundamental dentro do programa de controle de qualidade, sendo o teste de envelhecimento acelerado (EA) parte importante do processo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de confirmar metodologia específica para avaliação do vigor de sementes, em laboratório, tendo como base o EA. Utilizou sementes de milho e soja, seis lotes para cada espécie, com padrões de qualidade (germinação) comercialmente aceitas. As condições de envelhecimento préestabelecidas foram 42ºC/96h e 45ºC/72h para milho e 41ºC/48 e 72h e 42ºC/48 e 72h para soja. Para cada combinação de temperatura e período de envelhecimento, as sementes foram colocadas em caixas plásticas, sobre tela, com 40mL de água destilada, distribuídas em camada única e com base no peso das mesmas. O envelhecimento foi feito usando-se dois tipos de câmara, BOD e jaquetada de água (CJ). Foi determinado o teor de água (TA) e a germinação das sementes antes e após o EA. A absorção de água pelas sementes considerando-se todas as combinações de período de exposição e temperatura, as duas câmaras e as duas formas de determinação do TA, foi maior quando as sementes foram acondicionadas em camada única em relação aquelas pesadas (massa constante), usando-se a câmara jaquetada. Para o milho, a combinação de 45ºC/72h com o acondicionamento das sementes em camada única foi o método mais eficiente para a separação dos lotes quanto ao vigor. Para soja, a combinação 42ºC/48h foi mais eficiente na separação dos lotes, não havendo interferência do método de acondicionamento das sementes, na tela. Conclui-se que a camada única e a câmara tipo BOD devem ser preferencialmente utilizadas no teste EA face aos menores custos de aquisição e manutenção da BOD, visando à separação de lotes quanto aos níveis de vigor, para milho e soja.

Precocidade na emissão da raiz primária para avaliação do vigor de sementes de milheto

In a program of seed quality assurance, the evaluation of seed vigor is fundamental and necessary to the global production process outcome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the precocity of primary root emission test, for the substrates paper roll, on paper and between papers, on vigor of pearl millet seeds. Ten seed lots evaluated in four replication of 100 pearl millet seeds cultivar ADR 500 were sown in three different humidified substrates: between papers, paper roll and on paper. These were incubated at a temperature of 20-30 degrees C. Fifteen hours after the germination test was established, the emission of seed primary roots started to be observed every 2 hours up to 25 hours and then after 48 hours. For the comparison among lots, seeds were also evaluated by moisture content, weight of 1000 seeds, germination and vigor (first count, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging and seedling emergence). The statistical design was completely randomized, and the means comparisons were accomplished by the Tukey test at 0.05 level of probability. It was concluded that the precocity of primary root emission test on paper is promising for vigor evaluation of pearl millet seeds.

Efeito do vigor de sementes de soja sobre o seu desempenho em campo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)