Teste de envelhecimento acelerado para avaliação da qualidade de sementes de alface e almeirão

Abstract

The use of vigor tests for assessing seed lot quality is an important tool for production and commercialization. However, research on evaluating the quality of lettuce and endive seeds is still scarce since only the germination test is considered as standardized for lettuce seeds and other tests must be improved to obtain more accurate information. In order to adapt the methodology of the accelerating aging tests to evaluate the quality of lettuce and endive seed lots, four seeds lots of 'Maravilha' and 'Verdinha' lettuce cultivars and four seeds lots of 'Catalonha' and 'Pão-de-Açúcar' endive cultivars were used. In the accelerated aging test, the seeds were submitted to the traditional aging method and to aging with a saturated and diluted NaCl solution for 48, 72 and 96 hours. To characterize seed lot quality, the seed moisture content was determined and the germination test, first germination count and seedling emergence in the greenhouse were verified. It was concluded that the accelerated aging test allows the separation of seeds lots into different vigor levels. The 48-hour aging period can be used with the traditional method and the 72-hour period for the saturated NaCl solution for both lettuce and endive seeds. Considering the method using a diluted NaCl solution, the best periods were 48 hours for lettuce seeds and 72 hours for endive seeds.