Visual evaluation of the germinative potentiality of coffee seeds for the embryo format and coloration

Abstract

A quick evaluation of the germination potentiality is very important for coffee seeds. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the germination potentiality of the coffee by the embryo format and color. Seeds were obtained from lots with several ages. Lots of newer seeds present format of the normal embryo. Recently picked seeds present embryos of whitish coloration and more visible than the one of the aged seeds. The oldest seeds possess embryos of slightly yellowish coloration and they are less visible than the new seeds. The advantage of these technique is to evaluate the germinative potentiality in few minutes, separating the seeds of high and low germinative quality, without the use of skilled labor, equipment and instruments.