Jerffeson Araujo Cavalcante

PRE-GERMINATIVE TREATMENTS IN POMEGRANATE SEEDS (Punica granatum L.):EFFECT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different removal methods of sarcotesta and their effects on the physiological quality of the seeds. We applied the following treatments: T1 - friction in coarse sand on a sieve; T2 and T3 - immersion in sulfuric acid (98%) for 30 minutes and washing in water, with and without a vernalization for 48 hours in a refrigerator at 4 °C, respectively; T4 and T5 - natural fermentation for 72 hours, with seeds submitted and not submitted to drying in shade for seven days; and T6 - seeds with intact sarcotesta as control. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design. For the analysis of the viability and vigor, we used the germination test, germination on first count, germination speed index, accelerated aging, emergence test, emergence speed index, number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, and root length. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test. Seeds submitted to fermentation showed the highest germination and emergence values. However, it was not statistically different from the control, probably due to the sensitivity to desiccation or seed dormancy, which was shown in the accelerated aging test.

Accelerated aging test in amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) seeds.

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 amaranth seeds is still scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate procedures for conducting the accelerated aging test, aiming at the identification of different levels of vigour among lots of amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) seeds cultivar BRS Alegria. Five seed lots were used and submitted to tests of germination, first count of germination, seedling emergence and accelerated aging, using the aging periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours and adopting the traditional methodology with water and the use of saturated (40g NaCl in 100mL of water) and unsaturated (11g NaCl in 100mL of water) sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The accelerated aging test at 41oC and periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours of conditioning saturated NaCl solution allowed the stratification of the lots at vigour levels, similar to the results obtained by the seedling emergence test and the first count of germination. The accelerated aging test, using saturated saline solution (40g NaCl in 100mL of water) for 24 hours at 41°C, is therefore suitable for evaluating the physiological potential of amaranth seeds.

População de plantas e desempenho produtivo de híbridos de milho oriundos de sementes com diferentes níveis de vigor

As relacoes entre o vigor e desempenho de sementes sao bastante contraditorias. Para especies produtoras de graos e hortalicas, os efeitos do vigor da semente podem ser expressos na emergencia, no crescimento inicial, e no desenvolvimento, com impactos na produtividade final. No entanto, o dimensionamento desta persistencia pode nao ser evidente em todas as fases, sendo mais comum na emergencia. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do vigor de sementes de milho no estabelecimento e desempenho produtivo dos hibridos 502 e 810. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Rancho Alegre, em Itiquira, Mato Grosso (520 m de altitude). Empregou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2×3, sendo dois hibridos de milho (BM502 e BM810) e tres niveis de vigor (alto, medio e baixo), com quatro repeticoes. A semeadura foi realizada com semeadora manual a 2,5 cm de profundidade e com espacamento de 0,5 metros entre linhas. As parcelas foram constituidas por 6 linhas de 5 m, sendo que apenas 2 linhas foram utilizadas como area util para as avaliacoes. Foi avaliado a populacao de plantas/ha, produtividade de graos/ha e producao por planta. O nivel de vigor das sementes de hibridos de milho BM502 e BM810 nao interfere no estabelecimento do estante inicial e na producao de graos por planta. O aumento do vigor ocasiona aumento na produtividade dos hibridos de milho. Plant population and yield performance of corn hybrids derived from seeds with different levels of force Abstract : Abstract: The relationship between seed vigor and performance are quite contradictory. For species that produce grains and vegetables, the effects of seed vigor can be expressed in the emergence, early growth, and development, with impacts on final yield. It aimed to evaluate the effects of the vigor of corn seeds in the establishment and yield performance of the hybrid 502 and 810. The experiment was conducted in Rancho Alegre Farmin Itiquira, Mato Grosso (520 m altitude). We used the design in a randomized block design in a 2 × 3 factorial design, with two maize (BM502 and BM810) and three force levels (high, medium and low), with four replications. The seeding was done with manual seeder 2,5 cm deep and spaced 0,5 meters between rows. The plots were 6 rows of 5 m, with only two lines were used as useful for evaluations area. Plant population ha-1, seed yield / ha and yield per plant was evaluated. The level of seed vigor of maize hybrids BM502 and BM810 does not interfere in the establishment of the initial stand and grain yield per plant. The increase in force results in an increase in the productivity of maize hybrids.