Methodological adjustment of the accelerated aging test to evaluate the vigor of chia seeds

Abstract

Chia cultivation is expanding in Brazil, but there is still no standardized test to evaluate the quality of the seeds. Therefore, vigor tests that expose seeds to stress conditions must be standardized. This study aimed to establish the methodology for the accelerated aging test in chia seeds. Six chia seed lots with similar germination behavior were used. They were submitted to germination, first germination count, seedling emergence, emergence speed index and accelerated aging tests. Aging periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours were used in the conventional methodology, and also with the use of unsaturated and saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. The results obtained from the accelerated aging tests revealed tendencies for lot separation similar to the classification of chia seed lots in relation to the physiological potential obtained in the preliminary quality tests. The accelerated aging test can be used to evaluate the physiological potential of chia seeds by using water or unsaturated saline solution. In the conventional test (water), the seeds should be exposed for 24 hours. When using unsaturated saline solution, the exposure time must be of 48 hours.