Physiological quality of garapa seeds (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J. F. Macbr) submitted to accelerated aging

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination rate, germination speed index and viability using the tetrazolium test and electrical conductivity in seeds of Apuleia leiocarpa subjected to accelerated aging, and we also determined the best tests to evaluate the quality of the seeds of this species. The seeds were aged for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours in an aging chamber at 48ºC. The physiological quality of the seeds decreased even in the first 24 hours of aging. The tetrazolium and electrical conductivity tests were effective in determining the physiological quality of A. leiocarpa seeds subjected to accelerated aging.

Keywords

• condutividade elétrica
• germinação
• teste de tetrazólio