Teste de tetrazólio para sementes de Sesamum indicum

Abstract

Despite the economic importance of the sesame seeds, it is necessary to obtain more precise and complete information on the physiological quality of its seeds. Considering that the tetrazolium test allows us to evaluate with efficiency and speed the physiological potential of the seeds, the objective of this study constituted in adapting the methodology of this test to sesame seeds. Sesame seeds of cultivars ‘BRS G2’, ‘BRS Seda’, ‘Serido’ and ‘BRS G4’ were submitted to pre-tests to determine the time of preconditioning of intact seeds, seeds with cuts in the region distal to the embryonic axis or longitudinal cut in the largest direction of the seed, during 30, 60 and 90 minutes in water. After defining the pre-conditioning for 60 minutes, with longitudinal cut in the largest direction, the seeds were immersed in the concentrations of 0.075%, 0.5% and 1.0% of tetrazolium solution at 30 oC, during 3, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24-h. The imbibitions of the seeds over paper for 60 minutes, followed by longitudinal cut and immersion in tetrazolium solution in the concentration of 0.075% for 12-h, and of 1.0% for 3-h was efficient in the evaluation of sesame seed viability.