Physiological quality of cowpea seeds for different periods of storage

Oscar José Smiderle,José Maria Arcanjo Alves,Aline Das Graças Souza,Cylles Zara Dos Reis Barbosa

doi:10.5935/1806-6690.20170096

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological quality in the seeds of four cowpea cultivars during nine months of storage. The cowpea cultivars used were BRS Mazagao, UFRR Grao Verde, Pretinho Precoce 1 and BRS Guariba, produced intercropped with cassava in the experimental area of the Centre for Agrarian Science of the Federal University of Roraima, in Boa Vista. After harvest, the seeds were dried, hand cleaned, placed in PET bottles and stored for nine months at a temperature of 23 oC and a relative humidity of 60% at the Seed Analysis Laboratory of Embrapa Roraima. Data analysis was carried out in a completely randomised design, in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme with eight replications. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated at the start of storage, and after 3, 6 and 9 months, for germination, first germination count, 1000-seed weight, moisture, electrical conductivity, speed of emergence, seedling field emergence and water gain. Physiological quality in the seeds of BRS Guariba is influenced by the storage period. Irrespective of storage period, seeds of the Mazagao cultivar show superior physiological quality in relation to the other cultivars. Seeds of the BRS Guariba and Grao Verde cultivars show a reduction in physiological quality after three months of storage.

Highlights

The cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a tropical and subtropical plant which originated in Africa (FREIRE FILHO et al, 2011) and whose denomination or common names vary according to the region where it is established
Seeds of the BRS Guariba and Grão Verde cultivars show a reduction in physiological quality after three months of storage
For the 1000-seed weight of the BRS Guariba and BRS Mazagão cultivars in comparison to the initial period, no change was seen at 270 days of storage

Summary

Introduction

The cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a tropical and subtropical plant which originated in Africa (FREIRE FILHO et al, 2011) and whose denomination or common names vary according to the region where it is established. In the northeast of Brazil it is known as feijãode-corda and feijão macassar in the north it is known as feijão de praia (ALVES et al, 2015) and feijão de estrada, and in the south as feijão miúdo (FREIRE FILHO et al, 2011). In Brazil, the cowpea represents 35.6% of the planted area and 15% of total bean production (cowpea and the common bean - Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The northeast (1.2 million hectares) and north (55.8 thousand hectares) of the country are the regions that most contribute to this production (CONAB, 2016)

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