Hidrocondicionamento e armazenamento de sementes de melão

Abstract

The technique of controlled hydration of the seeds has been used as method of physiologic conditioning aiming at to improve the acting of these in the field. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of physiological hydropriming during storage of melon seeds. The evaluations were germination, first count germination, seedling emergence under greenhouse conditions and accelerated aging. We used two hybrids, Imperial and Gaucho, each comprising four seed lots. The priming was assessed during the periods of storage at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days, under controlled conditions of 15°C and 45% UR. Primed seeds of melons stored for 90 days showed better results for standard germination, first count germination, emergence and accelerated aging when compared with seeds that were not subjected to this treatment. Storage of melon seeds under controlled conditions (15°C and 45%UR) allows for the maintenance of the beneficial effects of hydropriming for 90 days.