The tetrazolium test is a quick and effective method for evaluating viability in seeds. The aim of this study was to determine a methodology for using the tetrazolium test, and its efficiency in verifying viability in seeds of the gherkin (Cucumis anguria L.). Consequently, five batches of gherkin seed were initially evaluated by the tests for germination, first count and speed of germination. The batches were then subjected to treatments in order to adjust the methodology for the tetrazolium test, evaluating three concentrations of tetrazolium solution (0.100, 0.075 and 0.050%), kept in the dark for two, four and six hours, under temperatures of 35 °C and 40 °C, with four replications of 25 seeds per treatment. At the end of the staining period, the seeds were washed in running water, split lengthways between the cotyledons, and classified as viable and non-viable. Evaluation of viability in seeds of the gherkin by tetrazolium test is efficient when carried out at a concentration of 0.050%, either for six hours at 35 °C or four hours at 40 °C.

A B S T R A C TSeed germination of species that develop in arid and semi-arid soils can be altered by water deficit and abundance of salts in the soil. Knowledge on tolerance limits is fundamental to understand the adaptive capacity of species under such conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological changes (germination and vigor) of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia seeds from different regions and submitted to water and saline stresses. To simulate water stress, the osmotic agent polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was adjusted to the potentials of 0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa, whereas for the saline stress, NaCl solutions were adjusted to the potentials of 0, -0.1, -0.3, -0.5, -0.7; -0.9 and -1.1 MPa. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme for water stress and 3 x 7 factorial scheme for saline stress, with four replicates of 25 seeds. The variables analysed were: germination, germination speed index and seedling shoot length, root length, shoot dry matter and root dry matter. M. caesalpiniifolia seeds, coming from different geographic regions, showed similar physiological responses to water stress; with respect to salt stress, their tolerance varies according to the region of harvest, and those from Vazante, MG, Brazil were more tolerant during germination and initial growth of seedlings.Alterações fisiológicas em sementes de Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. de diferentes procedências e submetidas aos estresses abióticos R E S U M O A germinação de sementes de espécies que se desenvolvem em regiões áridas e semiáridas pode ser afetada por fatores como deficiência hídrica e excesso de sais no solo, desta forma, o conhecimento sobre os limites de tolerância a esses fatores, é fundamental para compreender a sua capacidade de adaptação. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar as alterações fisiológicas (germinação e vigor) de sementes de Mimosa caesalpiniifolia provenientes de diferentes regiões brasileiras (Sudeste, Centro-Oeste e Nordeste) e submetidas aos estresses hídrico e salino. Para simular o estresse hídrico foi utilizado o agente osmótico polietilenoglicol (PEG 6000), ajustado para os potenciais de 0; -0,2; -0,4; -0,6 e -0,8 MPa, enquanto para o salino utilizou-se as soluções de NaCl nos potenciais de 0; -0,1; -0,3; -0,5; -0,7; -0,9; -1,1 MPa. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5 para estresse hídrico e 3 x 7 para estresse salino, com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. As variáveis analisadas foram: porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz e massa seca da parte aérea e da raiz de plântulas. As sementes de M. caesalpiniifolia, provenientes das diferentes regiões geográficas, respondem fisiologicamente de maneira semelhante ao estresse hídrico; já com relação ao estresse salino, a tolerância das sementes é variável em função da região de colheita, sendo as provenientes de Vazante, MG, mais tolerantes durante a germinação e o crescimento inicial das plâ...

The economically profitable production of crops is related, among other factors, to seed quality, the production system, and the water used in irrigation or preparation of nutrient solutions. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the phenology, production, and vigor of seeds of mini watermelons grown in saline nutrient solution and different substrates. In the fruit and seed production phase, the experiment occurred in a greenhouse with five electrical conductivities of water for nutrient solution preparation, ECw (0.5, 2.4, 4.0, 5.5, and 6.9 dS m−1), and two growing substrates (coconut fiber and sand). We evaluated the physiological quality of seeds previously produced under the five electrical conductivities of water and two substrates. High salinities for the hydroponic cultivation of the mini watermelon cultivar ‘Sugar Baby’ accelerated fruit maturation and crop cycle, decreasing fruit size. However, in both substrates, the seed production of mini watermelons, seed viability, and seed vigor occurred adequately with a reject brine of 6.9 dS m−1 in the hydroponic nutrient solution. The seed production of ‘Sugar Baby’ mini watermelons using reject brine in a hydroponic system with coconut fiber and sand substrates is viable in regions with water limitations.

Nutritional management can be an efficient strategy to mitigate the effects of salinity on fruit production and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the production and quality of fruits of mini watermelon crop, Sugar Baby cultivar, grown in a protected environment, under salt stress and K+/Ca2+ ratios. The study was carried out in a greenhouse, using a randomized block design, 1 + 5 scheme, resulting in six treatments and four replications. Six nutrient solutions were employed, one using low-salinity water, with NaCl (0.5 dS m-1) and standard nutrient solution (S1, control treatment), and the others using salinized water at 5.0 dS m-1 (S2) and extra addition of K (S3 = 50% and S4 = 100%) and Ca (S5 = 50% and S6 = 100%). The production (fruit production, longitudinal and transverse diameter of fruit, rind thickness, pulp firmness) and postharvest quality (soluble solids, vitamin C, titratable acidity, and maturation index), in addition to the variables related to the color of the pulp (lightness, chroma index, and Hue angle) were evaluated. The addition of NaCl reduced fruit production, longitudinal, and transverse diameter of fruit, rind thickness, and vitamin C content. Among saline nutrient solutions, extra addition of 50% K (S3) attenuates the deleterious effects of salt stress on the production variables and vitamin C content. Under salt stress, extra addition of 50% K (S3) and 100% Ca (S6) intensifies the red color of the pulp.

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