Adjustments in the tetrazolium test methodology for assessing the physiological quality of chickpea seeds

Humberto Alencar Paraíso,Delacyr Da Silva Brandão Junior,Warley Marcos Nascimento,Candido Alves Da Costa,Ramon Ivo Soares Avelar,Luan Souza De Paula Gomes

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v41n1187777

Abstract

Abstract: Quick tests are essential tools to evaluate seed quality. The objective of this study was to adapt the methodology of tetrazolium test, by identifying the most suitable pre-conditioning parameters of imbibition temperature and duration, and tetrazolium solution concentrations, in order to assess the physiological quality of chickpea seeds. Also, this work proposed the separation of lots in classes, according to the viability and vigor of the seeds. Three lots of chickpeas (lot 1 - BRS Aleppo C1, lot 2 - BRS Aleppo basic, and lot 3 - Cicero) were evaluated. They were analyzed according to three combinations of imbibition temperature and duration (41 °C for 4 hours, 41 ºC for 6 hours, and 30 ºC for 18 hours) and two tetrazolium concentrations (0.1% and 0.5%). The imbibition at 41 °C for 4 or 6 hours, and at 30 ºC for 18 hours allowed clear visualization of injuries in the seeds after immersion in 0.1% tetrazolium solution. The intense coloration formed by the 0.5% solution of this salt prevented the differentiation of the types of damage. In addition, it was possible to separate the seeds into four classes: class I (viable and vigorous, without damages), class II (viable and vigorous, with superficial injuries), class III (viable and non-vigorous), and class IV (non-viable).

Highlights

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) is remarked as one of the primary legumes among food grains (Artiaga et al, 2015).Its cultivation takes place in several places worldwide and, in some regions, it has acquired an essential socioeconomic role
Physiological parameters of chickpea seeds were appraised by the tetrazolium and germination tests
As stated by Almeida et al (1997), germination and vigor indices significantly decrease after seed storage

Summary

Introduction

Its cultivation takes place in several places worldwide and, in some regions, it has acquired an essential socioeconomic role. These grains have good nutritional value and can be used in both human and animal feed, as well as in medicine and the industry (Al-Snafi, 2016; Nascimento et al, 2016). Brazil does not have a tradition of producing chickpeas for commercial purposes. This culture has been adapting very well to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado, creating a good perspective as for its cultivation in the country (Artiaga et al, 2015). In the process of establishment of crops, for instance, it is essential that seeds have high physic, physiological, genetical, and sanitary quality (Talamini et al, 2011; Resende et al, 2015)

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