-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.

It is essential that tests for evaluating seed vigour be faster and increasingly efficient to enable precise differentiation among batches. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the quality of seeds based on the anaerobic metabolism of cells when exposed to environments lacking oxygen. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish methodology for evaluating the viability and vigour of 3 lots of cowpea (Amendoim cultivar) seeds using the ethanol test. The treatments were carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. For the test, 25 seeds were stored in hermetically sealed PET (Polyethylene the Ethylene) bottles containing 40 ml of distilled water and subjected to 3 soaking times in distilled water (6, 24, and 48 h) at a controlled temperature of 40°C in a germinator. The amount of ethanol produced was quantified with the aid of an adapted breath analyser. The results are expressed as mg L-1; these data were then compared with data for the following: germination; the first germination count; the total length, root length and shoot length of the seedling; dry weight of the seedling; emergence in the field; emergence speed index; and electrical conductivity. The experimental design was completely randomised, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The results were compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. Measurement of ethanol after 6 or 48 h of soaking at 40°C was effective for determining the viability and vigour of cowpea seeds. As ethanol test results have high correlation with germination and vigour test results, this approach is a viable alternative for analysts and seed producers.

Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is forage with the potential to increase pasture area in Southern Brazil. It is an option for more profitable and intensive use of floodplain areas during the cold seasons of the year. However, irrigation of crops in these areas in the summer can result in the salinization of the soils that have inadequate drainage, preventing the removal of salt by leaching. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of ryegrass seeds using different concentrations of sodium chloride. Four commercial ryegrass cultivars of PGG Wrightson Seeds Brazil were used: Inia Bakarat, Inia Scorpio, Inia Camaro, and La Estanzuela 284. Saline substrates consisted of Germitest® paper wetted with sodium chloride solution at five osmotic potentials (0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa). The study was conducted at the "Flavio Rocha" Didactic Seeds Analysis Laboratory and involved analysis of the following indicators of salt stress response: germination (%), first germination count (%), plantlet length (cm), and plantlet dry phytomass (mg/seedling). The results showed that saline stress conditions caused by reduced osmotic potential affected ryegrass seed germination and vigor, as well as decreased the stature of the aerial and root parts of the seedlings. Out of the cultivars evaluated, La Estanzuela 284 was the most tolerant to saline stress. It is possible to cultivate ryegrass in areas with salinity up to mean values of -0.2 MPa osmotic potential. In this study, no significant decrease in seedling performance was observed.

O tratamento de sementes de feijão com zinco afeta a qualidade fisiológica de sementes e o teor foliar de micronutrientes Common bean seed treatment with zinc affects the physiological seed quality and the leaf content of micronutrients

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) an annual grain crop belonging to the Amaranthacea family is the only vegetable food that contains all essential amino acids, micronutrients and vitamins. The study aimed to evaluate the performance, growth and seed physiological quality of two genotypes of quinoa in Southern Rio Grande do Sul region. The cultivar BRS Piabiru and one breeding line were grown at green house. The design was completely randomized with four replications and five harvest times during the vegetative stage of the crop. The variables were shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area index, dry matter of aerial parts, dry matter of root and total dry matter of plant. It was concluded that the line and BRS Piabiru have slow initial growth in the first 30 days and strong growth up to 120 days. The breeding line and commercial cultivar showed the same potential for seed production in the temperate climate of this region.

RESUMO Para alcançar a máxima qualidade das sementes, o momento ideal de colheita é de suma importância, no entanto, atrasos podem ocorrer, comprometendo assim, a qualidade das sementes devido à deterioração em campo. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijão em função do retardamento de colheita. O delineamento utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2x3, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de dois genótipos de feijão (Iraí e BRS Expedito) e três épocas de colheita (maturação de colheita, sete e 14 dias após maturação de colheita). As sementes provenientes das diferentes épocas de colheitas foram submetidas aos testes de germinação, comprimento radicular, massa de mil sementes, emergência a campo e índice de velocidade de emergência. O retardamento de colheita de sementes de feijão até 14 dias após a maturidade de colheita promove perdas de qualidade fisiológica de sementes, entretanto as sementes poderiam ser comercializadas tendo em vista que apresentaram germinação igual ou superior a 80% em todas as situações de colheitas estudadas. Cultivares de feijão apresentam distintas tolerâncias à deterioração de sementes em campo devido ao retardamento de colheita. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Deterioração, Phaseolus vulgaris L., potencial fisiológico.

RESUMOO feijão é cultivado principalmente por agricultores familiares, que geralmente utilizam sementes de anos anteriores, selecionadas pelos próprios agricultores, caracterizando-as como sementes crioulas, apresentando alto potencial para o uso direto pelos agricultores e utilização em programas de melhoramento. O trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e o teor de nutrientes em sementes de cultivares crioulas e melhoradas por seleção participativa, e a influência do teor desses nutrientes no potencial fisiológico das sementes. Foram utilizadas sementes provenientes dos ensaios de avaliação de cultivares conduzidos em São Luiz Gonzaga e Sobradinho, RS, da safra 2012. Foram avaliadas nas sementes os teores de: fósforo, cálcio, potássio, ferro, magnésio, zinco e manganês. Também foram avaliados a qualidade fisiológica por meio de: germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, teste de frio, condutividade elétrica e comprimento de raiz e parte aérea nas plântulas. Concluiu-se que as sementes das cultivares crioulas e melhoradas por seleção participativa apresentam elevado potencial fisiológico. Os genótipos AM-10, AS-7, Preto Ibérico TB 02-21 e ZL-1 destacaram-se pelo maior potencial fisiológico das sementes. Existe interação entre genótipo e ambiente para teor de nutrientes nas sementes. O teor de nutrientes exerce influência na qualidade das sementes, principalmente fósforo, cálcio, ferro e manganês. Palavras-chave: Phaseolus vulgaris; interação genótipo x ambiente; vigor de sementes; composição química; correlação.

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