Atividade respiratória como método alternativo na diferenciação do vigor de lotes de sementes

Abstract

New methods in assessing the physiological quality are a necessity in programmes of seeds quality control. Th us, this study aimed to describe and analyze the efficiency of the method of Pettenkofer in determining th e respiratory activity for the differentiation of seeds lots on its vigor. Three lots of soy bean seeds cv. 8000 and rice cv. IRGA 422C L were used. Besides the determination of respiratory activity , the following tests were conducted as reference: degree of humidity, germination, first count of germination, electrical conductivity , seedlings emergence, length of the shoot and root, and total dry mass. The results of reference tests and respiratory activity of seeds allow ed the classification of lots at differe nt levels of phy siological q uality . The timing of soaking and permanence of soy bean and ric e, in the eq uipment of Pettenkofer w as enough to provide the distinction o f lots. According to the results, it appears that lots of high vigor show more respirato ry activity than the low er vigor. Th e determination of respiratory activity , for the meth od of Pettenk ofer, is efficient, q uick and useful as alternative test in th e differe ntiation of vigor of lots, of soy bean cv. 8000 and rice. cv. IRGA 422C L.