PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF SAVED COWPEA SEEDS USED IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION

Fernando Henrique Alves Da Silva,Welder De Araújo Rangel Lopes,Manuela Bai,Sara Monaliza Costa Carvalho,Salvador Barros Torres

doi:10.1590/1983-21252019v32n112rc

Fernando Henrique Alves Da Silva, Welder De Araújo Rangel Lopes + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252019v32n112rc

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Journal: Revista Caatinga	Publication Date: Mar 1, 2019
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the physical and physiological attributes of saved cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) used in the Brazilian semi-arid area and compared them with certified seed varieties. The study tested 37 saved seed samples from the state of Rio Grande do Norte and two varieties of certified seeds (“BRS Guariba” and “BRS Pujante”) from the production field of Embrapa Products and Market, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. The seeds were tested for moisture, hectoliter weight, weight of 1,000 seeds, and physical purity to evaluate the physical quality. Germination, first germination count, field emergence, emergence rate index, shoot dry mass, and accelerated aging were tested for physiological quality. The saved cowpea seeds showed great differences, suggesting the influence of genetic variability and different growing environments. The use of saved cowpea seeds by small farmers in the semi-arid areas of Northeastern Brazil is impractical, because these seeds have inferior physical and physiological qualities compared to certified cowpea seeds.

Highlights

PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF SAVED COWPEA SEEDS USED IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION
This study verified the physical and physiological attributes of saved cowpea seeds used in Rio Grande do Norte
Thirty-nine samples of cowpea were collected in areas of the Brazilian semi-arid region: 37 of saved seeds collected at some pre-defined sites in Rio Grande do Norte, and two of certified seeds of the “BRS Pujante” and “BRS Guariba” varieties used as controls

Summary

Introduction

PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF SAVED COWPEA SEEDS USED IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION The physical and physiological attributes of a given batch of seeds can be verified by several tests following norms established and standardized in the Rules for Seed Analysis (BRASIL, 2009). This test in isolation often does not inform the actual physiological quality of the seed, as it may germinate and present no potential to emerge (HÖFS et al, 2004).

Results

Conclusion