Abstract
The physiological and phytosanitary qualities of common bean seeds used on a small farming system depend on the cultural practices, drying system and storage conditions employed. The objective of this work was to evaluate eight lots of common bean seeds using germination, vigor andphytosanitary tests. The lots were produced in 2005 and 2006 in “Zona da Mata”, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, and analyzed for moisture content, germination quality, first germination count, seedling vigor, seedling emergence, electric conductivity, seedling dry weight, seedling length, hypochlorite test and blotter test. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. The mean seed moisture content from all lots was 8.4 %. Four lots were classified as high vigor, one as intermediate vigor and three lots as low vigor. The first germination count and electrical conductivity tests were the best for evaluating bean seed physiological quality. All seed lots were infested by fungi, mainly Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium.
Highlights
Brazil is the world’s largest common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) producer and the cultivation of this legume is widespread across the country (BRASIL, 2013)
The annual production is 2,564,790 metric tons harvested from 1,895,267 ha in 2013 for an average yield of 1,353 kg ha-1 (EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE PESQUISA AGROPECUÁRIA - EMBRAPA, 2014)
This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and phytosanitary quality of different lots of common bean seeds used by small-scale farmers in Brazil
Summary
Brazil is the world’s largest common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) producer and the cultivation of this legume is widespread across the country (BRASIL, 2013). Common bean is among the ten most cultivated crops and is a traditional food in Brazil. About 10 % of small landholders in Brazil use certified seed and the vast majority rely on their own saved seed from yearly harvests. The lack of certified seed use is justified partly by the cost and a lack of awareness of the importance of using seeds with good phytosanitary and physiological quality every year (MENTEN et al, 2006). The fungal diseases of common bean during field culture and under storage conditions are the main reasons to preserve seed health and viability.
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