Physiological response of Erythrina velutina Willd. seeds to accelerated aging

Abstract

Seed vigor testing is an important component of quality control programs, and accelerated aging is a possible option in this process. This study was conducted to investigate procedures to assess seed vigor by the accelerated aging test in forest seeds of Erythrina velutina. The experiment was realized at laboratory conditions at Universidade Federal da Paraíba, in Areia - PB, Brazil Northeast. The seeds were stored in plastic bags and kept at 10°C and 50% relative humidity. Accelerated aging was performed at 41°C during 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours; Accelerated aging test identifed differences among seed lots of high and low physiological quality. Seeds were kept in plastic boxes with 40mL of distilled water in a BOD chamber. Seeds were tested for germination and moisture content before and after aging. The results revealed that the combinations 41°C/72 hours and 45°C/24 hours are appropriate for evaluation of the vigor of Erythrina velutina seeds.