Abstract
Abstract: Castor bean seeds are the raw material used for extracting oil destined to pharmaceutical and industrial ends. The appropriate application of post-harvest technologies, such as processing, is required to ensure the production of top quality seeds. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the physiological quality of seeds from two castor bean genotypes, classified according to their specific mass and size. Castor seeds of the genotypes EVF102 and EVF103 were mechanically harvested and then classified with the aid of cylindrical sieves and a densimetric table. This procedure was conducted at the processing unit of the company Sementes Goiás LTDA [Goiás Seeds Co.]. Evaluations of seed physiological quality were carried out in the Seed Laboratory of Instituto Federal Goiano, following a completely randomized design. The testing was conducted in four replicates, in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme (two genotypes x two sizes x five specific masses). The following parameters were appraised: (a) mass of one thousand seeds; (b) germination; (c) germination speed index; (d) emergence test; (e) emergence speed index; (f) electrical conductivity; and (g) accelerated aging. Genotype EVF102 seeds sized 8 mm, as classified by the densimetric table, showed the highest physiological quality, considering the germination, germination speed index, and emergence. Seeds of the genotype EVF103, sorted by size, exhibited no difference in physiological quality.
Highlights
Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a culture of importance, cultivated mostly in tropical and subtropical regions (Ribeiro et al, 2015)
The oil extracted from the seeds is largely used for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes, due to its chemical
Castor seed of the genotypes EVF102 and EVF103 were used in the study
Summary
Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a culture of importance, cultivated mostly in tropical and subtropical regions (Ribeiro et al, 2015). In the 2017/18 crop, the cultivated area was expected to achieve 31.6 million hectares, which represents an addition of 12.9% over the previous year. Such a trend can be attributed to both favorable local climatic conditions and to the product pricing in the market, especially in the last three years (CONAB, 2018). Obtaining castor seeds with high physiological, physical, and sanitary properties, capable of generating vigorous plants that can establish an adequate stand, is one of the hindrances for large-scale production (Neto et al, 2012). Machado et al (2010) linked the seed supply shortage and low quality of the beans to the fact that the cultivation still occurs with the farmer’s matrices, which generally are highly heterogeneous and include a broad diversity of cultivars
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