Controlled deterioration test and use of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ) to evaluate the physiological potential of crambe seeds

Erica Fernandes Leão-Araújo,Roberval Daiton Vieira,Clíssia Barboza da Silva,Júlio Marcos-Filho,Juliana Faria dos Santos

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v39n4177911

Erica Fernandes Leão-Araújo, Roberval Daiton Vieira + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v39n4177911

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Abstract

Abstract: Vigor tests are important tools for verifying the physiological potential of seed lots; however, various aspects can interfere in the consistency of the test results. The search for less subjective procedures has drawn the interest of researchers. The aim of this study was to adapt the methodology of the controlled deterioration test and verify the efficiency of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS ® ) to evaluate the vigor of crambe seeds. Initially, seed moisture content was determined and germination and vigor were evaluated in five seed lots. For the controlled deterioration test, the seed moisture content was adjusted to 18%, 20%, and 22%, and the results were interpreted at four and five days after sowing. The controlled deterioration test should be performed with initial adjustment of seed moisture content to 18%, and the germination test should be evaluated on the fifth day after sowing. SVIS ® provided information on the vigor index and the length and uniformity of seedling development. Computerized image analysis is effective in evaluating the vigor of crambe seeds, and the uniformity of seedling development parameter offers the most consistent data.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to evaluate the methodology of the controlled deterioration test and verify the effectiveness of the Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS®) in evaluation of the physiological potential of crambe seeds
In initial characterization of the seed lots (Table 1), the germination percentage of all the lots was acceptable for the commercialization of crambe seeds, which is fixed at 60% (Brasil, 2013), and they indicated lower performance
During the controlled deterioration test, greater sensitivity in differentiating physiological potential of the lots was observed when the seed moisture content was adjusted to 18% and evaluation was carried out on the fifth day after sowing (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The main use of the species worldwide is for production of biomass for animal feed (it has 30-32% crude protein) and for extraction of erucic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that can be used in a way similar to mineral oils, but with the advantage of being biodegradable (Desai, 2004). According to Paulose et al (2010), the crop stands out for high biomass production, short cycle, and hardiness. In Brazil, the crambe crop was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s by the Fundação MS, mainly with a view toward biodiesel production because the seeds have from 26% to 38% oil content (Jasper et al, 2010; Pitol et al, 2010). In spite of the agricultural potential of this species, studies directed to clarification of production characteristics are still rare

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