Abstract
Abstract: The tetrazolium test has been recommended for evaluating the viability of seeds with slow and ununiform germination, especially agroforestry species. The aim of this study was to propose a methodology to evaluate the viability of J. curcas L. seeds using the tetrazolium test and to generate visual aids to support the interpretation of the test. In the first trial, methods of seed preparation and staining were evaluated. The most promising methodologies were used to conduct the second test, which consisted of the evaluation of different concentrations (0.10 and 0.25%) and times (2 and 3 h) of immersion of the seeds in the tetrazolium solution, using five lots. The seeds were analyzed individually and classified as viable or non-viable. At the same time, germination, first count, emergence and seedling emergence speed index tests were conducted. The tetrazolium test is efficient for evaluating the viability of seeds of J. curcas L. providing results correlated with germination and seedling emergence. Pre-soaked seeds should have their integument removed and then sectioned longitudinally and medially lengthwise for immersion in 0.10% solution of 2,3,5-triphenyl chloride tetrazolium for three hours at 35 °C.
Highlights
The species Jatropha curcas L., known as physic nut, is an oilseed from the family Euforbiaceae
The aim of this research was to propose a methodology for conducting the tetrazolium test and to verify the efficiency of the test in evaluating the viability of J. curcas seeds, producing images that can help the interpretation of the results
Few studies have applied the most promising methods to seeds from lots with different levels of physiological quality, or compared the results found in the tetrazolium test with those of other recommended seed quality tests
Summary
The species Jatropha curcas L., known as physic nut, is an oilseed from the family Euforbiaceae. Recent studies have reported that the species has potential for production of anti-fungal plant extracts (Cordova-Albores et al, 2016; Hu et al, 2019; Rampadarath et al, 2016). Propagation of the species occurs mainly by seeds, which have irregular germination, attributed to factors such as genotype, integument resistance to water absorption and sensitivity to deterioration during storage (Oliveira et al, 2014). According to these authors, at the end of the germination test with seeds of this species, there is a significant proportion of unimbibed seeds as well as imbibed and non-germinated seeds which may or may not be dead. According to Kak et al (2009), the seeds take fourteen to twenty days to germinate under ideal laboratory conditions, and they are dormant when newly harvested
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