Physiological potential of cauliflower seeds

Abstract

The assessment of seed physiological performance is essential to provide consistent information to compose quality control programs conducted by seed companies and allow prompt decisions to reduce post-harvest and commercialization problems. This research was carried to evaluate the efficiency of different procedures to determine cauliflower seed vigor. Six lots of the cultivar Sharon were initially characterized by germination and seedling emergence, and subsequently subjected to traditional and saturated salt accelerated aging, controlled deterioration, electrical conductivity, and potassium leachate tests, in two evaluation times. The traditional accelerated aging (41ºC/48 h), the saturated salt procedure (45ºC/72 h), the controlled deterioration (moisture content adjusted to 20% or 22% and aging at 45ºC/24 h), the electrical conductivity (50 seeds/75 mL water and evaluation after 4 h) and the potassium leakage (25 seeds/50 mL of water and evaluation after 30 min) laboratory tests are sensitive to detect differences in the physiological potential of cauliflower seeds. However, those results did not relate to the percentage seedling emergence in greenhouse controlled conditions, as a consequence of the favorable conditions for emergence. However, the differences identified in the tests may be related to the ability of seed lots to perform in less favorable environments.

Controlled deterioration test for evaluation of sunn hemp seed vigor

“…The 24% seed moisture content was also the most suitable for controlled deterioration test in cotton (Dutra and Medeiros-Filho, 2008), scarlet eggplant , and okra (Torres et al, 2013). On the other hand, the 20% seed moisture content was suitable for bean (Santos et al, 2003), melon (Mavi and Demir, 2007), and cauliflower (Kikuti and Marcos-Filho, 2008), whereas in peanut seeds, 15% moisture content was the most appropriate treatment (Rossetto et al, 2004).…”

Cytogenetic analysis of wheat seeds submitted to artificial aging stress

“…Data obtained in germination (G) and vigor tests (First count of germination (FCG), Electrical conductivity (EC), Seedling emergence in the field (SEF) and Emergence speed index (ESI)), showed that aging stress altered decreasing rates in all characteristics evaluated (G, FCG, EC, SFE, ESI) ( Table 1). Accelerated aging stress is based on seed exposure to high temperature and humidity conditions, and has been used to determine seeds deterioration process and vigor in several species such as soybean (Dutra and Vieira, 2004), maize (Basavarajappa et al, 1991), cauliflower (Kikuti and Marcos-Filho, 2008) and rice (Kapoor et al, 2011), including forest species as Dalbergia nigra (Guedes et al, 2011) and Melanoxylon brauna (Corte et al, 2010).…”

Accelerated ageing as a vigour test for crambe (Crambe abyssinica) seeds

“…Seed lots with similar germination rates frequently exhibit different physiological performance in the field, resulting in seedlings with different levels of vigour, particularly under stressful environmental conditions. Therefore, developing standardized and reproducible methods of testing the vigour of crop seed lots is essential (Vieira et al, 2003;Kikuti and Marcos-Filho, 2008). Accelerated ageing is a vigour test that subjects seeds to high temperature and moisture levels.…”

“…Reliable results depend on adequate temperatures (species dependent) that are carefully monitored and maintained to avoid variations that could significantly affect results (Panobianco and MarcosFilho, 1998;Marcos-Filho, 1999a;TeKrony, 2003). Seed exposure times at pre-established temperatures have been determined to differentiate the physiological potential of seed lots of small seed species such as onions (72 hours at 41 °C) (TeKrony, 1995), cauliflower (48 hours at 41 °C) (Kikuti and Marcos-Filho, 2008) and cabbage (48 hours at 42 °C) (Costa et al, 2008). Relative humidity is maintained at high levels (usually close to 100%) during the ageing process.…”