Testes para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de melancia

Abstract

Watermelon is propagated by seeds, which should have high quality, in order to be enable an appropriate plant stand in the field. This study aimed to methodologies of accelerated aging test and compare tests to evaluate the effect on watermelon seeds. Were used watermelon seeds, four seeds lots of Congo variety and five seeds lots of Crimson Sweet variety. Were evaluated standard germination test, first count of germination, cold test, emergence velocity index, seedlings emergence, shoot and root length in laboratory and in greenhouse, shoot and root dry weight and accelerated aging test including traditional, satured salt solution (40g de NaCl for 100mL of water) and unsatured salt solution (11g de NaCl for 100mL of water) at 41⁰C for 48; 72 and 96hours. This essay was randomized; the lots means in each one evaluation were compared by Scott-Knott statistical test at 5% of probability and a correlation analysis between vigor testing was done. Accelerated aging test at 41⁰C for 72hours with satured salt solution is adequated to evaluate the watermelon seeds phylsiological performance. The first count of germination, accelerated aging with the use of saturated saline solution or not and emergence velocity index were effective for the classification of lots of watermelon seeds at levels of vigor.