Effect of drying, pelliculation and storage on the physiological quality of eggplant seeds

Natassia Zamariola,Leandro Vilela Reis,João Almir Oliveira,Luiz Antônio Augusto Gomes,Michelle Fonseca Jácome

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v32n2959

Abstract

The use of methods and technologies such as drying and film coating can bring significant contributions to the farmer. This experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of drying and film coating on the physiological quality of eggplant seeds during storage. Hybrid seeds UGA MS1 produced by the company Hortiagro - Ijaci, MG were used. Seeds were subjected to two types of drying: slow (room temperature) and quick (oven with forced air circulation at 35 ºC). The chemical treatment was performed with the Captan product at a dose of 250 grams per 100 kilograms of seed and for the recoating were used three doses of polymer: (0, 3 and 6 mL.kg-1 of seeds). The physiological quality of seeds was evaluated every three months until reaching the period of nine months using germination test, seedling emergence test and seedling establishment. There is a reduction of physiological seed quality during the storage. The slow drying of eggplant seeds results in better quality seeds. The use of polymer reduces the germination percentage, germination speed index and the percentage of seedling emergence.

Highlights

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) has always been considered a vegetable of secondary importance
The experiment was conducted in the land of HortiAgro Seeds Ltda, located near the town of Ijaci - MG, Brazil, and in the Laboratório Central de Sementes da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) from February 2012 through September 2013
There was a significant effect of the interaction between the drying speeds, polymer doses and periods of storage for germination, emergence, emergence speed index and germination speed index tests

Summary

Introduction

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) has always been considered a vegetable of secondary importance. Due to its qualities and benefits to human health, this scenario has been changing The consumption of this vegetable spread in Brazil due to its nutritional properties and medicinal value, and to its being a source of vitamins (A, B and C) and minerals, especially magnesium, potassium and sulfur, in addition to there being reports of its use in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, cholera, bronchitis and cholesterol control (Ribeiro, 2007). The production of high quality vegetable seeds requires special techniques, since they have high added value and their care extends from the choice of the area, soil preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying, processing and storage (Nascimento, 2005b). At the ideal moment for harvest, seeds of fleshy fruits (such as eggplant) have high humidity, making drying an essential process for the production of high quality seeds. Improper drying can cause damage to the seeds, such as reduced storage potential (Silva et al, 2011) and rupture of the membrane (Chen and Burris, 1990), in addition to contributing to the occurrence of secondary seed dormancy (Wood et al, 2000)

Objectives

Methods

Results